IT provides resources, guidance, and best practices for working on campus and remotely at North Idaho College.
Get Technical Help
- Submit a ticket: IT Help Desk
- Email: helpdesk@nic.edu
- Phone: (208) 769-3280
- In Person: Siebert Building, Room 101 | Campus Map
- Search IT Knowledge Base
Please note: Not all users will require a direct connection (VPN or Remote Desktop) to the NIC Network.
Due to security concerns during this time of widespread remote work, NIC IT is limiting access to VPN and Remote Desktop services. Please have your supervisor approve this type of access if you need it. The most common campus need for VPN would be related to accessing files on our file shares (Vault). We are recommending that you move these files to Box for easier access at this time.
North Idaho College's VPN provides security when connecting to specific College networks and systems (such as your “U: drive,” “H: drive,” CROA, or Softdocs) so you can work remotely as if you’re on campus. VPN also helps to protect your data when connecting to unknown Wi-Fi networks in airports, hotels, or coffee shops. Be aware that you are subject to all NIC policies and procedures relating to computer use when using VPN.
Remote Desktop
Connect to your office computer from your home computer with Remote Desktop.
Available Web Applications
North Idaho College has many applications that do not require the installation of software, or a VPN connection, and are accessible remotely via Internet access. If you have an Internet connection at home, you can access the following applications via single sign on. Some systems will require Duo authentication.
- MyNIC Portal
- Canvas
- Aviso
- Colleague Self Service
- Time Entry and Approval (Webadvisor)
- Colleague
- Sharepoint Teamsites
- Office 365 (Including Email and Teams)
- Library Resources
- Testing Center appointments
- Bookstore
- Concourse
- Panopto
- and many more.
If you have a question on whether or not an application only needs an Internet connection, please contact the NIC Helpdesk atl helpdesk@nic.edu or (208) 769-3280
Box and OneDrive are web-based file storage and collaboration applications for sharing and backup. The Vault file server is for file storage on the NIC network. During this time, NIC IT is highly recommending that you transfer the files you need to Box.
Box
- The easiest method of remotely accessing your documents and files is to upload them to Box. You can access Box from any device, VPN is not required, and you can configure granular permissions for collaboration or review by teams or specific people.
- Box storage is unlimited.
- Learn more about using Box
OneDrive
Vault (H and U drives)
- Accessing your files on department shares – e.g., your “U: drive” or “H: drive” – requires installing and using and additional piece of software called VPN. NIC Information technology is limiting the use of VPN currently and does not allow the use of VPN from personal computers. If you need VPN access, then IT will grant it via supervisor approval.
Some software programs you use at work may also be downloaded to your personal computer and others just require an internet connection.
Microsoft Office
- Install on personal devices for free.
- Learn how to install Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Office Quick Start Guides
The following applications are automatically installed on NIC computers:
Cloud File Storage and Sharing
- Box Drive
- Microsoft OneDrive
Collaboration Tools
- Microsoft Teams (Calling, Chat, Meetings)
- Zoom (Video Conferencing, Meetings)
Office Suite
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Publisher
- Microsoft Word
Multimedia Player
- VLC Media Player
Operating System
- Dell & Microsoft computers: Windows 11 Enterprise
- Apple computers: MacOS Ventura
PDF Reader
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
Video Creation and Sharing
- Panopto Recorder
Web Browsers
- Microsoft Edge
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
Protect your computer, identity, and privacy.
Duo Multifactor Authentication
In order to provide additional security to some systems, NIC requires the use of Duo multifactor authentication for some services such as email, Colleague, Self Service, Softdocs, Aviso, Box, VPN, Remote Desktop, and other systems that contain sensitive or personally identifiable information.
Updates and Antivirus Software
- If you are using a personal PC, now would be a good time to ensure your computer has the latest security and antivirus updates. In windows 10 and 11, you can do this by clicking the start (Windows) button, typing the word update, and then clicking on "Check for Updates". In the window that opens, click on the check for updates button and follow the prompts to install them. This may take some time if you have not run updates lately, but this will also help ensure that your personal device is updated and protected as much as possible.
Solutions for streaming and collaboration.
Zoom makes it easy to share screens and host real-time video conversations, host live web broadcasts, and record to a computer or cloud for easy sharing. In addition to laptops and desktops, Zoom chat and video conferencing apps are available for iPhone, iPad, or Android.
- Learn how to access and use Zoom at North Idaho College
- Testing your audio and video before your zoom meeting
- Best practice guide for meetings
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft teams is available to all faculty and staff through Office 365. Microsoft teams allows for real time chat capabilities while working remotely with each other and is currently the recommended option for collaboration while we work through COVID-19.
Panopto
Panopto is a video creation and sharing platform for employees and students.
Be sure you know your voicemail password to remotely access voicemail. If you have forgotten your PIN, please contact the NIC Help Desk.
Voicemail
- Your NIC voicemail currently forwards your voicemail to your email.
- Learn how to access and configure voicemail
Softphones
- NIC IT can configure softphones (Software Phones). This will allow you to have access to a virtual phone on your computer that uses the camera/microphone or a headset as the phone handset.
- Learn how to install and use Cisco Jabber Softphone
NOTE: If you need to request a softphone setup, please have your supervisor submit your name to the help desk. Once your softphone is set up, you will receive an email with further instructions
Privacy and Security
- If you are forwarding your NIC phone calls to your personal phone, your phone number will be displayed if you call someone back from your personal phone. If you are using a softphone, then your NIC extension will display as the caller ID.
- If you are using a softphone while working remotely, DO NOT USE IT TO CALL 911. Our phone system uses enhanced 911 capabilities and first responders will believe you are at your office location.