University adds ‘Alertus Desktop’ to emergency communication tools
Wake Forest University is adding Alertus Desktop to its emergency communication tools. Alertus Desktop is a mass notification desktop alerting software that immediately grabs attention with a full-screen desktop pop-up alert.
The new tool will be used in addition to Text, Email, Phone, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Wake Safe app and RSS feed to alert the Wake Forest community of an emergency. It will only be used during emergencies when immediate action is needed.
The week of Feb. 19, Information Systems will begin installing Alertus Desktop on all managed faculty and staff computers. Faculty and staff may see a temporary notification on their computer screen when the update has been completed. A new icon will appear on the computer’s system tray or menu bar.
The University will be conducting bi-annual emergency testing on Feb. 27 and 29. Alertus Desktop will be included in that testing. Any faculty or staff computer connected to one of the University’s secure networks should receive a full-screen pop-up alert.
Faculty and staff working remotely will not receive an alert on their Wake Forest laptop, unless they happen to be connected to VPN at the time the alert goes out. The Alertus icon will be red when the computer is off-campus and not connected to VPN, indicating that desktop alerts are unavailable.
Students will receive information on how to download Alertus Desktop software in March.
The University is committed to a comprehensive approach to providing a safe community where students, faculty, staff and visitors may experience a sense of security. If you have not already downloaded the Wake Safe App, please consider adding the app as a convenient way to both receive alerts and take advantage of safety resources.
Questions? Contact Wake Forest University Police at police@wfu.edu.
Wake Forest University is adding Alertus Desktop to its emergency communication tools. Alertus Desktop is a mass notification desktop alerting software that immediately grabs attention with a full-screen desktop pop-up alert. 
The week of Feb. 19, Information Systems will begin installing Alertus Desktop on all managed faculty and staff computers. Faculty and staff may see a temporary notification on their computer screen when the update has been completed. A new icon will appear on the computer’s system tray or menu bar. 
Faculty and staff working remotely will not receive an alert on their Wake Forest laptop, unless they happen to be connected to VPN at the time the alert goes out. The Alertus icon will be red when the computer is off-campus and not connected to VPN, indicating that desktop alerts are unavailable.