Services We Provide

What we do to protect the network is analyze daily network scans and investigate network traffic, while aiding in emergency response and disaster recovery by tracking down and resolving serious incidents, and coordinate with the campus judiciary system and law-enforcement agencies.

We evaluate the security of Southern University’s computers, networks, and data as well as personal workstations through general network scans and other methods to determine current vulnerability status. Also, we educate the SU community on how to safely use technology by identifying and promoting the "best practices" regarding security of data and systems by sending alerts for current viruses, attacks, and other security vulnerabilities.

Research is also done to implement new ideas for classes and security initiatives, while reviewing new communications applications and suggesting secure applications for use at the University and in University projects. We introduce campus standards for security, and review applicable policies and procedures in the context of these standards.

You may download spyware software free of charge. It is a security technology that helps protect Windows users from spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Known spyware on your PC can be detected and removed. This helps reduce negative effects caused by spyware including slow PC performance, annoying pop-up ads, unwanted changes to Internet settings, and unauthorized use of your private information. Continuous protection improves Internet browsing safety by guarding over fifty (50) ways spyware can enter your PC.

Recent increases in computer hacking and viruses worldwide have caused many systems to become exploited. Hackers often attempt to gain access to a computer by guessing all possible combinations of passwords. Using a modern PC, a hacker can normally break a simple password remotely in less than 60 seconds. Once broken, your password may allow someone to access your files.

Network Security Services suggest these requirements are met to ensure a good password:
• The password should be at least 8 characters long
• The password should contain at least one non-alpha character (a number, period, space, comma etc)
• The password should contain at least one uppercase and one lowercase letter
• Not begin with a number
• Not be an alphabetic series, either forwards or backwards (i.e., ABCDEF or FEDCBA)
• Not be a numeric series, either forwards or backwards (i.e., 123456 or 654321)
• Not be a string of all identical letters or numbers (i.e., AAAAAA or 111111)
• Not be a common keyboard key sequences (i.e., ASDFG or QWERTY)
• Not be an easily guessed word such as your name, userid, or any variation thereof (backwards, changing case, etc.)
• Not be a word (s) referring to anything noticeable about you, such as the name of your spouse, child, pet, favorite football team, or literary character
• Not be a word that appears in a dictionary

This will be done by computer forensics, it is the analysis of information contained within and created with computer systems and computing devices. It involves the preservation, identification, extraction, documentation and interpretation of computer data.

This can be for the purpose of performing a root cause analysis of a computer system that had failed or is not operating properly, or to find out who is responsible for misuse of computer systems, or perhaps who committed a crime using a computer system or against a computer system. Computer forensic techniques and methodologies are commonly used for conducting computing investigations in the interest of figuring out what happened, when it happened, how it happened, and who was involved.

When installing a Firewall you may visit the Microsoft Security Web site, it provides information about software firewalls made by other companies, as well as hardware firewalls and network routers. This information can help you select a firewall solution if you use an earlier version of Microsoft Windows, such as Windows NT, Windows Millennium Edition (Me), or Windows 98. Hardware firewalls are a good choice for versions of the Windows operating system prior to Windows XP. Windows XP includes an Internet Connection Firewall, which you can turn on. You must have administrator access to your computer to install either of these options.

The authentication page is used to give access to the network to authorized users by verifying who they say they are and denying access to clients that cannot authenticate properly. Authorize users will have to provide their login and password; which is the same login as your blackboard account and your campus email account. The wireless network is available to all Southern University students, faculty, and staff.

Once you have logged on, you will be directed to a confirmation website. This website has four links to secure campus websites: the school website, campus email, Jagnet, and AVG antivirus. To access websites outside of Southern University, users will have to open a new internet explorer window.

We are available to all departments to schedule times and dates to assess your environment. This assessment includes identifying and documenting risks and vulnerabilities to your assets. We will also arrange a time to discuss strategies and/or methods for securing your environment and reducing your exposure to the outside world. This includes working with 3rd party vendors for application security.

Please contact NSS if you are interested in hearing more about how we can assist your department in developing, planning, and designing security protocols in your environment.

In order to use the computer resources and network services available at Southern University, students, faculty and staff must adhere to the policies and procedures defined and authorized by Technology and Network Services.