Security 101: minimizing risks and maximizing network safety with CDW-G

University Business, Jan, 2005

MARIST COLLEGE (Poughkeepsie, NY) takes its university security policy seriously. With an IT team of approximately 50 professionals, the college maintains a strict security policy including a written security statement that all students, faculty and staff are required to sign. The policy bans illegal software installation, music downloads, the viewing of inappropriate sites and the creation of spam. The IT department scans the network periodically to see if any students are using an excessive amount of bandwidth, and if so, those students are promptly removed from the network.

In addition to rigorous policy enforcement, a multi-discipline Marist security committee meets monthly to review any problems that arise, and a centralized management committee meets weekly to pre-plan responses to virus attacks. The school employs a four-person network team that constantly monitors the network and prohibits access to the network without first identifying the physical addresses and locations of user machines. If someone tries unsuccessfully to log in a few times or access an IP address that is not available, the team--which uses Cisco monitoring software--notices immediately and takes action to block the user.

Marist works closely with its technology partner, CDW-G, to select the most appropriate technology tools to keep its network secure. The school purchases all major hardware and most of its software from CDW-G, which switched the school from transactional pricing to contract volume programs, saving Marist between 20 to 30 percent on software. CDW-6 works with Marist to understand the schools needs and select technology products that both protect the current infrastructure as well as plan for future growth.

Marist maintains McAfee Antivirus licenses for every computer on campus, and while students are not required to use McAfee, they must download some form of approved antivirus software on their machines. When students are off campus for seven days or more, they must reregister, a process that includes having their computers automatically scanned for viruses or illegal software.

Marist continues to set an example for other schools with its progressive security policy. Its recent track record with viruses speaks for itself. The Netsky and the Nachi worms hit the campus, but because the IT department had the appropriate technology in place and acted quickly in updating computers, neither virus spread very far or did much damage.

But, security is not the only priority for Marist's IT department. The college is constantly upgrading its infrastructure. Since the beginning of the year, it has replaced 280 of its 1,600 computers, and it plans to replace another 300 this summer. In addition, Marist offers its students discounted computers through its Web site, which was created and maintained by CDW-G.

"Our students get the Marist discounted price and the computers shipped directly to their homes," says Joan Syler, Marist Computer Store manager. "I have every confidence sending them out to talk to CDW-6 to select the computers that are right for them. At Marist, we are committed to providing our students with secure technology that advances their education."

For more information contact CDW-G at 800.767.4239 or visit CDWG.com