FSU on the Raggedy Edge of a Network Revolution
The FSU Network Solution Creates Debate: Security vs. Freedom
Derek Hidey
Issue date: 10/18/06 Section: The AT Wire
Imagine a see-saw. On one end sits "Security" and on the other end sits "Freedom." In the context of FSU's current network setup, in relation to the student's PCs, "Freedom" is taking a dirt-nap. With a firewall and packet-shaper currently between the student's and the outside world, there isn't a whole lot that can be accomplished.
When balancing something this sensitive, you will rarely find them to be at equilibrium. In most cases, one side will be slightly higher (more dominating) than the other. After the Information Technology Department's (ITD) plan has been implemented we are going to see a drastic shift in the see-saw example. With the firewall no longer standing between the student's and the Internet, FSU's network will be more similar to an ordinary Internet Service Provider (ISP). Suddenly, "Freedom" will be touching the peak of Mount Olympus and "Security" will be somewhere close to Dante's Third Circle of Hell.
Students shouldn't be alarmed by the plan because of the reality of the situation. Your personal computer will never be completely safe from the viruses and spy-ware. You could load your computer with all the anti-virus software in the world and someday, somewhere, someone will develop a new type of virus that none of those programs detect. Depending on who provides your Internet access, chances are that when you are at home, your family's computers are just as susceptible to attack as the student's PCs will be after the implementation. Protecting your computer from viruses is a lot like trying to prevent people from cheating at online games. You can be very careful and concentrated, take every precaution to prevent it, but eventually someone will find a way around whatever you thought up.
In conclusion, the new plan that the ITD department of FSU is cooking up should prove to be beneficial to all students, gamers and non-gamers alike. You can expect faster download rates all across the board. Yes, we may be a little bit more exposed than we may like, but that's life. "[H]ere is us, on the raggedy edge."
When balancing something this sensitive, you will rarely find them to be at equilibrium. In most cases, one side will be slightly higher (more dominating) than the other. After the Information Technology Department's (ITD) plan has been implemented we are going to see a drastic shift in the see-saw example. With the firewall no longer standing between the student's and the Internet, FSU's network will be more similar to an ordinary Internet Service Provider (ISP). Suddenly, "Freedom" will be touching the peak of Mount Olympus and "Security" will be somewhere close to Dante's Third Circle of Hell.
Students shouldn't be alarmed by the plan because of the reality of the situation. Your personal computer will never be completely safe from the viruses and spy-ware. You could load your computer with all the anti-virus software in the world and someday, somewhere, someone will develop a new type of virus that none of those programs detect. Depending on who provides your Internet access, chances are that when you are at home, your family's computers are just as susceptible to attack as the student's PCs will be after the implementation. Protecting your computer from viruses is a lot like trying to prevent people from cheating at online games. You can be very careful and concentrated, take every precaution to prevent it, but eventually someone will find a way around whatever you thought up.
In conclusion, the new plan that the ITD department of FSU is cooking up should prove to be beneficial to all students, gamers and non-gamers alike. You can expect faster download rates all across the board. Yes, we may be a little bit more exposed than we may like, but that's life. "[H]ere is us, on the raggedy edge."
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