@TheCore – Core Technology Services (CTS)
Core Technology Services ensures that North Dakota’s higher education system remains secure, efficient, and prepared to meet the needs of students, institutions, and the state, both now and in the future.
Who We Are
Core Technology Services (CTS) provides shared technology services for the North Dakota University System (NDUS), supporting 11 institutions and more than 49,000 students, along with faculty, staff, and system partners.
As a centralized organization, CTS delivers secure, reliable, and efficient technology that enables teaching, learning, research, and business operations across the state. By coordinating services at a system level, CTS reduces duplication, strengthens security, and ensures consistent access to critical systems and resources.
Why CTS Matters to North Dakota
CTS plays a vital role in supporting higher education and the broader needs of the state by:
- Enabling student success through reliable access to academic and student systems
- Protecting sensitive data and institutional operations through coordinated cybersecurity efforts
- Maximizing the value of taxpayer investments through shared services and systemwide efficiencies
- Providing stable, modern technology that supports workforce development and innovation
CTS ensures that every institution, regardless of size or location, has access to the technology needed to serve students and communities effectively.
Systemwide Impact
CTS supports a large and complex technology environment across North Dakota:
- 49,000+ students served
- 2,000+ faculty supported
- 8,000+ staff supported
- 11 colleges and universities connected
- Enterprise systems operating continuously to support academic and business functions
These systems process thousands of transactions daily and are essential to the ongoing operations of the university system.
What CTS Delivers
CTS provides core technology capabilities that support the entire NDUS.
Academic and Student Systems
Technology that supports teaching, learning, and student success, including systems used for course delivery, enrollment, and academic records.
Business and Administrative Systems
Enterprise systems that support financial management, human resources, and institutional operations across all campuses.
Cybersecurity and Data Protection
Systemwide security operations that monitor threats, protect sensitive data, and ensure compliance with state and federal requirements.
Infrastructure and Network Services
Reliable and secure technology infrastructure, including data centers, networks, and identity and access management.
Enterprise Services and Support
Shared tools and support services that provide assistance to students, faculty, and staff and ensure consistent service delivery across institutions.
Key Systems Supporting NDUS
CTS manages and supports the enterprise systems that serve as the foundation for higher education operations in North Dakota.
These systems support:
- Student information and enrollment management
- Financial and business operations
- Human resources and workforce management
- Communication, collaboration, and learning environments
These systems are integrated across institutions, allowing for consistency, efficiency, and improved service delivery statewide.
Current Priorities
CTS is focused on advancing strategic priorities that ensure long-term sustainability and effectiveness:
- Strengthening cybersecurity and protecting institutional and student data
- Modernizing aging systems and planning for future replacement cycles
- Advancing cloud readiness to improve flexibility, scalability, and resilience
- Enhancing user experience for students, faculty, and staff
- Supporting data-informed decision making across the university system
These priorities align with the broader goals of the North Dakota University System and support the evolving needs of students and institutions.
The Need for Continued Investment
Sustained investment in technology is essential to maintaining reliable and secure operations across NDUS. Key considerations include:
- Aging systems increase the risk of service disruptions and higher long-term costs
- Cybersecurity threats continue to grow in frequency and complexity
- Modern technology solutions improve efficiency, reduce manual processes, and strengthen service delivery
- Strategic investment enables long-term planning and responsible resource management
Proactive investment helps ensure that the university system remains stable, secure, and capable of meeting future demands.
Shared Services and Stewardship
CTS operates as a shared services model, providing significant value to the state.
- Reduces duplication of systems and services across institutions
- Lowers overall costs through centralized management and purchasing
- Improves security through consistent standards and coordinated oversight
- Strengthens collaboration across campuses and the system office
This approach allows NDUS to operate more efficiently while maintaining high-quality services for students and institutions.