/
New Starter: 5 First-Day Basics

New Starter: 5 First-Day Basics

Purpose: This guide covers the minimum IT setup a new user should complete on day one. It assumes the user already has an active CRSid. The aim is to get them signed in, connected, and able to access core University and Department services with minimal delay.

For most new starters, the fastest route to a smooth first day is: sign into the device, get online, confirm Microsoft access, set up Atlassian with the correct University account, and acknowledge the University’s IT rules.

If you are a new starter reading this, you can activate your CRSid before you start, which will be a great advantage on your first day!

Once activated, the account takes 30-60 minutes to be fully active and accessible, so be patient, and you can skip to step 3, linking your Cambridge account to the Atlassian services.

Day-one essentials


Users should already have activated their CRSid - they will have been sent instructions in their welcome email from HR

  1. Log into their device
    Use the user’s CRSid and University password to sign in. The device must already have an internet connection for the first sign-in to complete properly.

  2. Connect the laptop to eduroam Wi-Fi network
    Create a device-specific network token and use the current eduroam setup method for the laptop.

  3. Set up their Atlassian Service Management account using their @cam.ac.uk account
    This helps ensure the account matches University identity and avoids duplicate or portal-only account confusion later.

  4. Accept and understand the University IT Acceptable Use requirements
    New users should know that University systems and devices must be used in line with institutional policy.

  5. Log in, bookmark and edit profile on lookup.phy
    This site will help new starters navigate the RDC and enable them to find colleagues. Always ensure your own profile is up-to-date, this is your own responsibility!

Tip: If first login to a Windows laptop fails, connect the device to the internet first using Ethernet or a temporary hotspot, then try again.

Basic setup steps

Ensure the device is registered to the user before continuing

1. Log into the device


Windows laptop:

  1. Connect the device to the internet first. If eduroam is not set up yet, use Ethernet or a temporary hotspot.

  2. At the Windows sign-in screen, enter the user’s CRSid and University password.

  3. Once signed in, open Teams and sign in with the full @cam.ac.uk email address if prompted.

  4. Open Edge and sign in to sync the browser profile by signing in with your University email address and password.

MacBook:

  1. On first start-up, connect to UniOfCam-Guest if prompted so the Mac can activate.

  2. When asked to authenticate, sign in with the full @cam.ac.uk email address and University password, then complete MFA.

  3. Finish setup, reach the desktop, and then configure eduroam.

Established documentation:

2. Connect the laptop to eduroam

  1. Go to tokens.uis.cam.ac.uk.

  2. Create a new token for that specific device. Do not reuse vague or unlabelled tokens if you can avoid it.

  3. Download and run geteduroam for the correct operating system.

  4. Choose University of Cambridge when prompted.

  5. Enter the token username and password, not the normal CRSid password.

  6. Join eduroam and set it to connect automatically.

Established documentation:

Note: Each device should have its own eduroam token. If eduroam was previously configured and does not work, forgetting the saved eduroam network and setting it up again often resolves the issue.

3. Set up their Atlassian account with @cam.ac.uk

The Atlassian account is a key aspect of service management within the Department of Physics. Always use the @cam.ac.uk address when accessing Jira or Confluence. This reduces the chance of duplicate accounts and mismatched identities.

  1. Open the IT Services desktop shortcut, or from another computer, access id.atlassian.com

  2. Sign in or register using the user’s full @cam.ac.uk email address. Select Sign in with Microsoft

    image-20260804-162357.png

  3. Accept the invitation using that same address (outlook.office.com), there will be several verification codes.

Why this matters:

  • It keeps support access tied to the University identity.

  • It helps avoid “portal-only” vs full account confusion.

  • It makes future access to Jira and Confluence more predictable.

Helpful starting point:

4. Accept the University IT Acceptable Use Policy

New users should be directed to read and accept the University’s IT rules before using departmental systems routinely. At a minimum, they should understand that:

  • University devices and accounts are for authorised use only.

  • Users must not attach unmanaged equipment to networks without approval.

  • Users are expected to protect University data and follow security guidance.

  • Personal and work data should be kept separate where possible.

ESSENTIAL READING - THIS IS MANDATORY, YOU WILL BE ASSUMED TO HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREED TO ABIDE BY THIS DOCUMENT:

5. Lookup.phy

This website will be valuable to people new to the department. It shows the layout of the main RDC building and the location of individual rooms.

  1. Log in to lookup.phy.cam.ac.uk using your University account

  2. Edit your profile to ensure you can be found by colleagues; this is especially helpful for Facilities an Stores teams.

Minimum outcome by the end of day one: the user can sign into their device, connect to eduroam, open email, access the IT support portal with their @cam.ac.uk identity, and knows where to find the University’s IT usage rules.

Owner

Ben Ackers

Last Verified

Aug 4, 2026

Review Frequency

12 months

Review Date

Aug 4, 2027