Changes on the way for Dartmouth's wireless network
Beginning this summer, Dartmouth's single wireless network will divide into
three separate services to meet the needs of distinct groups of users and also
better safeguard Dartmouth's information.
Ellen Waite-Franzen, vice president of information technology and CIO, says
that a recent security assessment "pointed out a number of ways in which the
security of the College's data needs to be enhanced. The coming changes to our
wireless network are one step to providing a more secure environment for our
information." Once the transition is complete, Dartmouth will provide three
separate wireless networks: Kiewit Secured, a private network for Dartmouth
students, faculty, and staff, Dartmouth Public, for community members on
campus, and Library Public, for patrons who are physically present in the
library.
"Dartmouth's private network is for use by our faculty, staff and students,"
notes Waite-Franzen. "In its current form, Dartmouth's private network has, in
effect, been leaking, making it possible for anyone to access the network while
on campus. In the interest of securing the College's data, this must change."
At the same time, Waite-Franzen reports, Dartmouth is committed to preserving
public access to a wireless network for anyone present on campus. "In creating
Dartmouth Public," Waite-Franzen says, "we are now intentionally making
wireless access available as a service to the public—access that had only been
an incidental side effect of how the College's own network was operating."
A third wireless network will serve library patrons, and will provide access
to library resources to anyone physically present in the library buildings.
(Dartmouth community members will also continue to have access to the libraries
through Kiewit Secured.) Many of Dartmouth's library resources are licensed for
use only by members of the Dartmouth community and walk-in library patrons.
Creating a distinct wireless network for the library allows such conditions to
be met while balancing access, service, and security.
Access to Kiewit Secured will require users to authenticate that they are
members of the Dartmouth community. Several options will be available to carry
out that process, including accessing the network through a portal, or by using
a securely configured machine. Over the summer, Dartmouth Computing will
reconfigure computers on campus during a slow roll out that will also put in
place a system to encrypt data on the network. Invited guests of the College
can receive access to Kiewit Secured through their Dartmouth departmental host.
For symposium and other short-term visitors, Dartmouth Public will have a
strong enough signal and sufficient bandwidth for visitors on campus who need
incidental use of a network.
Waite-Franzen also notes that her office is also finalizing plans for other
security improvements to the College's wired network, to be put in place
starting in fall 2007.
By KELLY SEAMAN
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