Spring Break
New technology to guard UConn networks
John Kennedy
Issue date: 4/9/09 Section: News
Computer thieves at UConn will soon be presented with a virtually impassable obstacle as a new encryption program aimed at boosting data security is installed on university computers.
The program, McAfee Endpoint Encryption, which currently only runs on Windows-based systems, will ensure that private data, such as bank account information, remains secure and cannot be accessed by unauthorized users, even if the computer is lost or stolen.
The program "is really helpful to the university community in the sense that it mitigates the harm caused by theft," said Chief Information Officer David Martel.
Martel also said that when an encrypted computer reboots, a login screen will appear that utilizes the owner's original username, but employs a "strong" password independent of the one used to log into other services.
"Currently, the University's computers have a basic lock, like on a door," Martel told the UConn Advance. "The encryption program is like adding a deadbolt."
According to Katherina Sorrentino, the assistant director of UITS, the program spawned after Gov. M. Jodi Rell began a similar program on state computers and passed the idea down to the university level.
Six months ago, a pilot program was launched, with six different encryption devices in the mix, in order to determine which would be the best choice.
Sorrentino said that once McAfee was chosen, UITS began to encrypt machines in January 2009, beginning the 18-month process she estimated would cost around $400,000.
Martel said the program began by encrypting the computers of employees who report to Chief Operating Officer Barry Feldman. University employees were asked to inform UITS of any high-risk areas in order to determine who else will get priority.
Approximately 400 computers have been encrypted to date, Martel said, adding that the program's main flaw is the nature of its installation, which is very labor-intensive.
According to the Advance, McAfee must be installed by UITS technicians or other trained personnel on each computer individually, which takes about 30 minutes.
While the computer's data is being encrypted, Sorrentino told the Advance, users may find some functions running slower than usual, but that once the process is complete, there will be little difference in the computer's speed.
Aside from a handful of "anomalies," Martel said the largest problem he has encountered has been anxiety from those whose computers are being encrypted.
"It's almost the fear of the unknown," Martel said of their unfamiliarity with the process. "There's a healthy dose of skepticism."
Sorrentino assured those wishing to get their hard drives encrypted that, although she could not guarantee 100 percent protection, the encryption program is "close to impossible to break through."
The program, McAfee Endpoint Encryption, which currently only runs on Windows-based systems, will ensure that private data, such as bank account information, remains secure and cannot be accessed by unauthorized users, even if the computer is lost or stolen.
The program "is really helpful to the university community in the sense that it mitigates the harm caused by theft," said Chief Information Officer David Martel.
Martel also said that when an encrypted computer reboots, a login screen will appear that utilizes the owner's original username, but employs a "strong" password independent of the one used to log into other services.
"Currently, the University's computers have a basic lock, like on a door," Martel told the UConn Advance. "The encryption program is like adding a deadbolt."
According to Katherina Sorrentino, the assistant director of UITS, the program spawned after Gov. M. Jodi Rell began a similar program on state computers and passed the idea down to the university level.
Six months ago, a pilot program was launched, with six different encryption devices in the mix, in order to determine which would be the best choice.
Sorrentino said that once McAfee was chosen, UITS began to encrypt machines in January 2009, beginning the 18-month process she estimated would cost around $400,000.
Martel said the program began by encrypting the computers of employees who report to Chief Operating Officer Barry Feldman. University employees were asked to inform UITS of any high-risk areas in order to determine who else will get priority.
Approximately 400 computers have been encrypted to date, Martel said, adding that the program's main flaw is the nature of its installation, which is very labor-intensive.
According to the Advance, McAfee must be installed by UITS technicians or other trained personnel on each computer individually, which takes about 30 minutes.
While the computer's data is being encrypted, Sorrentino told the Advance, users may find some functions running slower than usual, but that once the process is complete, there will be little difference in the computer's speed.
Aside from a handful of "anomalies," Martel said the largest problem he has encountered has been anxiety from those whose computers are being encrypted.
"It's almost the fear of the unknown," Martel said of their unfamiliarity with the process. "There's a healthy dose of skepticism."
Sorrentino assured those wishing to get their hard drives encrypted that, although she could not guarantee 100 percent protection, the encryption program is "close to impossible to break through."
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