Managing the Network Security Challange
For university information technology departments, a balancing act can be challenging.
University computer networks are an essential component of university operations.
Yet, they are often large, heterogeneous, open, and used by thousands of individuals
whose computing habits and expertise are largely unknown.
At Temple University, for example, approximately 16,000 systems—from
mainframes and mid-ranges to PCs and laptop devices—connect to a hybrid
wired and wireless network. Individual schools and colleges within the university
own many of the systems. Students own the remaining connected PCs, laptops,
and tablets. Temple University has a diverse user community, ranging from students
with no computer experience to professors who teach Computer Science. Consequently,
protecting a customer base with such a wide span of expertise poses its own
set of challenges from both a technological and an educational perspective.
Add to the complexities of delivering an open, yet secure, computing environment,
even as new and increasingly sophisticated forms of malicious computer code
are being launched every day, and the obstacles appear insurmountable. At Temple
University, the individual ability of departments to do research and teach is
tied directly to security—especially to virus protection. In fact, left
unchecked by anti-virus software, one of today’s fast-spreading threats
could shut down an entire network.
As a result, Temple University set out to determine how to maintain a desired
level of security across such a varied network and user landscape.
User Awareness
The first priority toward maintaining the appropriate balance between security
and freedom was to educate users on security risks. Students, faculty, and staff
needed to understand how viruses threatened their computing infrastructure,
what they could do to reduce this risk, and how they would benefit from having
a more secure network.
To that end, the Temple University launched an awareness campaign. Through
frequent e-mail flashes, brochures, and online articles, users learned what
viruses were, their effects, and how to prevent them.
And how have students responded? Out of 6,500 residence hall students, only
two were reluctant to take part in the Temple University’s anti-virus
program. One was already using a solution from home, while the other was unacquainted
with anti-virus of any type.
Security Choices
Temple University also determined that universities generally have three technology-related
options in addressing the network security issue. First, they can simply hope
students and other users purchase and install their own security software. Second,
they can secure the network but leave the security of individual machines up
to the colleges or individuals who own them. Third, they can provide every client
system with a security solution that is centrally managed and coordinated. Temple
University chose the third option—with measurable success.
Temple University’s anti-virus software puts virus protection at the
workstation and server tiers of the network.
University IT personnel can manage
individual users as well as groups of users and can make sure all systems are
up-to-date and configured correctly. Symantec Anti-virus leverages the vendor’s
automated virus submission and response mechanisms to quickly detect, analyze,
and repair viruses. The software makes it easy for IT administrators to enforce
anti-virus policies across the multi-platform environment.
With a managed anti-virus solution in place, Temple University has been able
to side-step many of the recent virus and worm outbreaks that have plagued other
institutions.
Technology & Awareness
Information technology and the Internet will maintain a vital role in the environment
for learning. Threats to the security of computer networks will continue to
expose students, faculty, and staff to malicious code that can disrupt operations
and impede education.
Managed security solutions, together with user awareness, offer an effective
defense against virus threats. At Temple University, this combination of technology
and education helps ensure that the IT infrastructure remains a powerful enabling
force in encouraging academic freedom without risking online safety.