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Technology Support Services offers consultation, configuration, installation, and repair services. There may be charges for select services. If you have a Technology Support Services service request not listed on this page or a question, please contact the ITS Support Center.
Hardware
Desktop Support will install, set up, and configure hardware, such as computers, and non-Canon printers and scanners. Desktop Support will also diagnose and repair in and out-of-warranty computers and hardware. There may be a charge for out-of-warranty services and parts. Best-effort support is provided for unsupported hardware.
- Computer Install, Setup, or Configuration
- Printer Install, Setup, or Configuration
- Hardware Installation (e.g., hard drive/solid state drive, video card, RAM, etc.)
- Mobile Device Setup
ITS Computer Standards & Purchasing Consultation
Information Technology Services (ITS) provides a dynamic, reliable, and secure computing environment for faculty, staff, and students to achieve their goals at Mason. ITS requires that faculty and staff use Mason-managed endpoint devices for their work and research. ITS has identified pre-configured endpoint device models from select manufacturers for purchase that ITS has tested with Mason’s standard software image. If your department has inquiries about these standards, a Desktop Consultation request form may be submitted.
- Help Configuring a Recommended System
- Purchasing Quote
Update-to-date listing of approved devices
ITS Computer Standards
Hardware
ITS recommends purchasing computers from the following approved vendors:
- Windows: Dell, CDW, Patriot Tech
- Apple: Apple e-commerce, CDW, Patriot Tech
See ITS-Approved Computer Hardware Standards for Faculty & Staff for preselected models that ITS can best support for all Mason services.
Operating System
All Computers must be running a supported operating system (OS) from its vendor. The OS must be patched to the latest version. Systems found not running a supported OS will be removed and blocked from accessing the Mason network.
Software
ITS supports a wide array of business and academic software. Please visit this site for a comprehensive list of supported software and services. The following is the standard software load:
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Defender
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Mozilla Firefox
- VideoLAN VLC
- Zoom desktop app
Additional software can be installed via the Company Portal app on a Windows endpoint or Mason Self Service on a Mac endpoint. All third-party software must be updated with the latest security updates. ITS provides automatic third-party patching for the most common applications. All software installed on Mason endpoints must be approved by the Architecture Standards Review Board.
For additional information on how to auto-enroll in George Mason’s managed network (macOS), please contact ITS Support. Software applications, updates, and upgrades are available for managed George Mason-owned devices.
Managed systems may access available software here:
> Log in to Software Center (Windows environment managed by SCCM)
> Log in to Mason Self Service (Apple environment managed by Jamf)
Security
All Mason endpoint computers are required to be centrally managed. This is achieved for PCs through Mason’s Active Directory (AD) environment or through JAMF for Mac systems.
ITS has developed and approved an endpoint security baseline that closely follows NIST-800 recommendation. This baseline will automatically be applied to all managed systems through the associated management platform. To ensure systems are secure when left unattended, all systems will lock automatically after 15 minutes of inactivity from the end user.
Mason endpoints are required to have Microsoft Defender ATP and Cisco Umbrella installed. These are installed and configured by ITS. These applications provide antivirus, firewall, and additional protection against malicious software. For additional information see Microsoft Defender.
Endpoint permissions for PCs are managed via AD groups. This includes both login permissions and administrative permissions. These are assigned by departmental IT points of contact. Permissions for Mac systems are managed on a per system basis.
Microsoft Defender
Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) antivirus software is available for all Mason-owned Windows and Mac devices managed in MESA or Jamf.
- Always-on scanning using file and process behavior monitoring and other real-time protection
- Discovers vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in real-time without the need for agents or periodic scans
- Detects and blocks apps that are deemed unsafe, but may not be detected as malware
- Eliminates risky or unnecessary attack vectors (paths hackers use to gain unauthorized access) and restricts dangerous code from running
- Leverages artificial intelligence to automatically investigate alerts and remediate complex threats
- Uses behavior-based machine learning to identify suspicious activity and advanced attack techniques
- Cloud-delivered protection that includes near-instant detection and blocking of new and emerging threats
- Regularly updates to keep antivirus up-to-date
Microsoft Defender ATP is available to Mason-owned Windows or Mac systems managed through MESA or Jamf. Unmanaged Mason-owned systems will need to be managed in order to receive the updated antivirus protection.
Enroll Computer
Data
ITS recommends the use of OneDrive for the protection of data. Common folders can be redirected to OneDrive to simply this process. For additional information see OneDrive (work or school).
Support
ITS provides a wide array of support through self-service, remote assistance, or from a desk side technician. ITS uses BeyondTrust Remote Access to provide remote assistance to end-users. The BeyondTrust software is only installed during an active support session and is removed upon completion. For additional information see BeyondTrust.
Printing
Canon Follow Me Print Pay-for-Print (PFP)
George Mason has partnered with Canon to provide solutions for all your printing needs. Self-printing can be accomplished through the Pay-for-Print (PFP) network across all three campuses. The PFP network is accessible from George Mason-owned computers or your own device.
Information
You can print to ANY of the PFP printers on ANY campus. With Canon's Follow Me Print system, you will only see your print jobs in your secure queue, which will stay in your queue for 24 hours. Most PFP devices can print in color; however, device defaults have been set to black & white print and Duplex/2-sided to reduce cost and promote sustainability. When you release your job, these defaults can be changed via your print dialog box.
To send and retrieve print jobs, you need to install the Pharos software (drivers) and have a George Mason photo ID. George Mason employees will need to have a George Mason photo ID that is associated with a department org number.
Cost
The cost of printing for George Mason students and guests is $0.10 for black & white and $0.25 for color. The PFP devices accept Mason Money, which can be deposited on your George Mason ID or a copy card purchased from kiosks around campus. Please visit the Print Hub for more information if you need custom printing.
Wireless Printing
Laptop users can send print jobs to the Pay-for-Print wireless network after the Pharos software is installed. The Follow Me Print system is available at the Fairfax Campus, Science and Technology Campus, and Mason Square.
Department-Registered Printer Access
Faculty and staff may special register a departmental printer to be accessible from any network. This allows faculty and staff to print to their department-registered printer whether they are on the VPN or wired or wireless networks.
Student Printer Access
Students are able to get a similar type of service by registering their personal printers at mydevices.gmu.edu. Please see the Device Registration for Network Access for details.
Getting This Service
Personal Computers (Students, Faculty & Staff)
Instructions on how to get this service for your personal computer are available at printandmail.gmu.edu/print/.
Mason-owned & Mason-managed Computers (Faculty & Staff)
Print drivers are available in Mason Self Service for Mac computers or Software Center for Windows computers. If you are a Mason employee and would like the following services, submit a request to:
- You will need to submit a request to
Managing Department Org Codes & NetID
To add or remove org codes to or from a NetID, visit printhelp.gmu.edu and complete the online ticket form. There is no charge for getting this service; however, there is a per page charge for printing.