What is protecting USU’s computers?
Despite recent attacks on university servers by hackers, student information is safe.
According to Bob Bayn, team coordinator of Information Technology Operations, students don’t need to fear for the security of their information. In regard to the recent defacement of one of the servers on Dec. 14, IT System Administrator Blake Rich said the hackers didn’t steal any confidential information.
Student information is secured in multiple ways, Bayn said. First, only selected users are able to access the specific information they need. For example, in the case of student information, the Registrar’s Office is able to access only the information they need to help students register.
“During transmission between the database and the authorized users, [the information] is encrypted so that anyone intercepting the data on the wire won’t be able to tell what it is,” Bayn said. “He said there is no need to fear that these encryptions could be easily broken.
There are multiple steps used when coding the information, and not only would hackers need to do these steps backwards, but they must know all the codes and correct order.
Matt Lorimer, system administrator for IT, said, “Banner access is currently restricted on several layers.” This is the key to protecting student information, and currently it is working well, said Lorimer.
Usually in order for this defacement to happen, the hackers must have huge supercomputers, and if this is the case, they usually aren’t going for information about your birthday, high school and the likes. They would rather find information that can get them money such as bank account numbers, Bayne said.
“Additionally, the information is protected in the various offices around campus by good business operating practices that ensure that authorization is not used inappropriately in the office,” Bayn said.
These practices by the university keep student information secure, Bayn said; however, students should still be careful about the information they share over the Internet.
-albaugh@cc.usu.edu