Over the past year, wireless network services have become available in selected areas of the
Shields Library, Memorial Union and Wellman Hall
(see: http://wireless.ucdavis.edu/Maps.htm).
In addition, a number of campus departments have initiated wireless network services.
It's easy to understand why any laptop user would enjoy wireless computing. For students, the
sunny MU Quad can be home to more than just Frisbee playing; for faculty and staff, one computer
can be configured for hassle-free online access from multiple classrooms and meeting locations.
However, the risks and challenges of using wireless are not as commonly known to the public,
since it is such a new technology.
Information and Educational Technology
(IET) recently partnered with the
Technology Infrastructure Forum
and other computing councils on campus to create a policy
focusing on some of these issues (to read the policy, visit:
http:/Manuals.ucdavis.edu/ppm/310/310-17.htm/).
The campus quickly realized that it needed to identify standards for wireless hardware, so that
wireless users would be more likely assured of service availability no matter where they connect
from on campus.
Most people are not aware of the fact that security in wireless transmissions is very slim.
Regular Internet usage may not necessarily pose a risk, but anytime a user emails confidential
information or purchases something online, this information can be accessed by other parties. Only
encryption-protected sites will keep wireless transmissions safe; not all online purchasing sites
or email services are encrypted. (One exception is MyUCDavis,
the campus Web portal, which is encrypted). The new policy issues a warning to wireless users about security and reminds them
that they must identify themselves using their encrypted UC Davis Kerberos passwords when they log
on via wireless. This also ensures that people not affiliated with the campus won't use up our
bandwidth or crowd out legitimate campus users.
Another challenge that wireless usage poses is competition on the frequency ranges among the many
wireless devices now in use. For instance, at a wing in a hospital, life-saving patient care
equipment can conflict with wireless phones, laptops and microwave ovens, if all are configured to
access the same frequency. The new wireless policy establishes priority among these devices and
also helps people make decisions about how to position wireless equipment to avoid these problems.
IET invites you to review the new policy and contact the campus IT Security Coordinator, Robert
Ono (raono@ucdavis.edu), with any questions. ¤
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