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Marist College Tests Out Cloud Security

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 05/05/15

A Poughkeepsie, NY college is teaming up with a security software company to test out security approaches for its cloud environment and develop professional curriculum for cybersecurity experts. Marist College said it is working with BlackRidge Technology on several initiatives.

The institution implemented BlackRidge's First Packet Authentication technology, security gateways that, according to the company, conceal network applications from port scans, network "reconnaissance" and intrusion while still allowing authorized and authenticated users to access network applications.

"Until now, we have spent most of our time protecting the castle from anyone who would approach and try to kick down the door and access secured data," said Bill Thirsk, Marist's CIO and vice president of IT, in a prepared statement. "With the BlackRidge solution set, not only will we be able to stop intruders from using secured network segments, they will not be able to see the castle. No approach, no breach."

The school has tested out the security software specifically on its internal network. Next up will be testing across the college's Academic Community Cloud. That computing platform is built on multiple IBM z systems and runs about a thousand virtual machines at a time to support research, production and educational services for itself and other schools, both higher ed and K-12.

The duo will also work together in helping BlackRidge develop "advanced professional curriculum" to be used by security experts and practitioners.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

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