Three New University Security Policies You Need to Know About
Policy | Standard | Procedure | Informative
Version: 1
Last Updated: 10/10/02
University Computing and Communications Services
Network security article published in the (October 2002)"Focus-IT" campus newsletter

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Three New University Security Policies You Need to Know About:


Antivirus Software Policy
This policy requires you to maintain antivirus software on your university-owned computer and any personal computer that you utilize to initiate a remote connection to Georgia State’s network (when you dial up from home to connect to systems or applications available on the university network). Hundreds of virus and Trojan Horse infections that were discovered on systems located in various departments on campus (or brought in from home to connect to the network) over the last 9 months could have been prevented if the user had installed and maintained Norton Antivirus software.
(http://www.gsu.edu/%7Ewwwist/antivirussoftware.htm)

Internet Services Registration Policy
This policy requires you to register any systems providing services (mail, ftp, web, etc.) to others, commonly known as operating a server versus a workstation. For example, if you install Internet Information Services on your Windows 2000 workstation, you are now operating a server that must be registered and properly secured, due to the fact that your system will provide services to others over the network and/or internet. A major category of critical security incidents that have occurred on campus have been serving devices that were not properly secured prior to connection to the network. Once compromised, these “hacked” systems attacked government, corporate and individual systems over the internet and resulted in the disruption of services to departments on campus that were affected. (http://www.gsu.edu/%7Ewwwist/internetservices.htm)

Sensitive Information Protection Policy
This policy is intended to protect sensitive information that is stored on university systems, such as FERPA, HIPAA, personal data of employees and students, financial data, etc. As systems containing these types of data are successfully compromised by intruders, the potential for exposure and use for nefarious purposes becomes a major issue. Therefore, it is critical to properly secure any systems that you maintain where sensitive data is accessed, processed, or stored. If you manage a server that contains sensitive data, the preferred solution is to house that system within the UCCS Institutional Operations Center, so that it can be properly secured and protected from harm. (http://www.gsu.edu/%7Ewwwist/sensitiveinformation.htm)

Procedures will be forthcoming that will advise you how to register serving devices. In the meantime, please ensure that Norton Antivirus is installed on your university systems and that you are properly securing sensitive data stored on any systems that you manage.

Help:

If you have questions, or need assistance, please contact the Help Center at help@gsu.edu or (404) 413-HELP (4357).

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