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Broadband & Mobile Featured Article
May 14, 2008
Eastern Kentucky University Taps FaceTime to Keep Spyware off Campus
By Raju Shanbhag TMCnet Contributing Editor
Looking to protect its campus-wide network from increasing spyware and malware attacks, Eastern Kentucky University has standardized on FaceTime (News - Alert) Communications' perimeter Web security solution. FaceTime has deployed the system to 5,000 students currently living in on-campus housing along with 2,000 faculty and staff. Apart from supporting the use of Web-based e-learning systems, the appliance also supports extensive use of real-time communications such as Skype (News - Alert) and instant messaging applications.
The Eastern Kentucky University had dabbled with many antivirus programs before. Earlier, the university supplied every student with a copy of Symantec's (News - Alert) Norton Anti-Virus when they first arrive on campus, but the IT and helpdesk personnel witnessed a significant rise in spyware infiltrating the network during 2006 and 2007. One of the main reasons for this was the inability of the user-based anti-spyware software that was ineffective against these attacks.
As the university depended largely on web-based systems for distance learning, it was important to keep the network spyware-free to deliver teaching programs effectively. Also, to maintain an effective transmission speed, any viable anti-spyware solution had to offer zero-latency.
Before choosing FaceTime, the university evaluated a number of edge-defense anti-spyware solutions. Finally, the university chose FaceTime as it demonstrated effective spyware blocking and no network latency. The solution also did not block or censor communication channels. Allowing an element of control without intruding on the freedom of those communications, the FaceTime solution offered a good foundation for future management of real-time communications.
The solution also helps in identifying illegal data transfer. As large data packet
transfer could indicate music or video file sharing that may constitute a breach of copyright, the solution helps in keeping track of such transfers and keeps both institution and individuals on the right side of the law.
“FaceTime gives us the perimeter protection and manageability we need to prevent spyware from getting onto our network, taking care of the problem before it can turn into a labor-intensive clean-up operation for the helpdesk,” said Ed Riley, assistant director, networking, telecommunications and systems, Eastern Kentucky University, “I'm a firm believer in perimeter-based defense systems. By relying on a user-based approach, we were essentially relying on people, and I think anyone in IT would agree that people are the weakest link in any security system.”
Raju Shanbhag is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To see more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.
Don’t forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users. Today’s featured white paper is Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Consolidation Strategies, brought to you by HP Software.
The Eastern Kentucky University had dabbled with many antivirus programs before. Earlier, the university supplied every student with a copy of Symantec's (News - Alert) Norton Anti-Virus when they first arrive on campus, but the IT and helpdesk personnel witnessed a significant rise in spyware infiltrating the network during 2006 and 2007. One of the main reasons for this was the inability of the user-based anti-spyware software that was ineffective against these attacks.
As the university depended largely on web-based systems for distance learning, it was important to keep the network spyware-free to deliver teaching programs effectively. Also, to maintain an effective transmission speed, any viable anti-spyware solution had to offer zero-latency.
Before choosing FaceTime, the university evaluated a number of edge-defense anti-spyware solutions. Finally, the university chose FaceTime as it demonstrated effective spyware blocking and no network latency. The solution also did not block or censor communication channels. Allowing an element of control without intruding on the freedom of those communications, the FaceTime solution offered a good foundation for future management of real-time communications.
The solution also helps in identifying illegal data transfer. As large data packet
transfer could indicate music or video file sharing that may constitute a breach of copyright, the solution helps in keeping track of such transfers and keeps both institution and individuals on the right side of the law.“FaceTime gives us the perimeter protection and manageability we need to prevent spyware from getting onto our network, taking care of the problem before it can turn into a labor-intensive clean-up operation for the helpdesk,” said Ed Riley, assistant director, networking, telecommunications and systems, Eastern Kentucky University, “I'm a firm believer in perimeter-based defense systems. By relying on a user-based approach, we were essentially relying on people, and I think anyone in IT would agree that people are the weakest link in any security system.”
Raju Shanbhag is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To see more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.
Don’t forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP
Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users. Today’s featured white paper is Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Consolidation Strategies, brought to you by HP Software.
