CIS upgrades technology, security

Brian Farkas Assistant News Editor

Computing Information Services (CIS) is implementing new technology and tightening computer security measures throughout campus.

One of the most recent innovations CIS has put into place is the campus-wide wireless network. On average, more than 1,200 students use the new network at any given time. In an e-mailed statement, CIS Vice President Brett Ingerman said, “We are now working to fill coverage gaps and deal with the inevitable small problems that occur with any new technology implementation.”

CIS is also planning a full security evaluation. To bolster protection, CIS will likely require devices on the Vassar network, such as computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs), to be registered to specific users and authenticated with a name and password. Ingerman noted that many other institutions have long insisted upon user registration and authentication, which is already required for use of the wireless network.

While there is no law driving the College to enforce this change, the 1994 Communications and Law Enforcement Act requires telecommunications carriers to “assist law enforcement in executing electronic surveillance pursuant to court order or other lawful authorization,” according to the legislation’s Web site.

“Much in the same way that the government knows who a particular phone number belongs to, they similarly want to know who a particular Internet address belongs to,” said Ingerman. CIS does not see registration or log-in requirements as an invasion of privacy, since “the government still needs to issue subpoenas to obtain communications details.”

Vassar is now among a small group of colleges with wireless networks, since the high costs often deter many schools from pursuing the technology. According to the Office of College Relations, the network is the result an $860,000 gift from an anonymous alumnus.

CIS is also working to bring the Vassar Student Association (VSA) Web server back online. In the past, the VSA maintained its Web site without assistance, but after a hacking incident in December 2005, CIS provided help. Ingerman described CIS’s relationship with VSA as “very promising,” and noted that although CIS will store and support the new servers, the VSA will still maintain full control over their content. Ingerman said that current renovations to the central server room, along with construction of a secondary server room, will “improve the reliability of our computer systems.” A backup generator is also being added to provide power in the event of an emergency outage.

New computers and flat-screen monitors were also added in dorm clusters. VPrint, the printing function in the library, is now available in the dorm clusters as well, making it easier for students to send and release print jobs within their own dorms.

Admissions Technology Coordinator Tim McGraw is also beginning to assemble a database of cell phone numbers for the next incoming class. According to Ingerman, College administrators have had a difficult time contacting students due to the decreased use of dorm phones. Many students do not have answering machines and therefore cannot be reached in an emergency. “The Common Application began this year to include a field for cell phone number,” said McGraw. Ingerman has alluded to possibly obtaining students’ screen names, but this program is still in its early stages and no decisions have been made yet.