Hartwick college

Click here to read the Who, What, and Where of Sygate (what is allowed where)
Click here to read about Sygate messages and what to do about them

Sygate Info: While the growth of the Internet has led to a revolution in how we think and interact with our world, the bad news is there is an expanding list of threats that can harm your computer, or worse, put your personal information at risk. Recent evidence shows:

• 6 out of 10 e-mails are now considered spam that consist of phishing attempts (getting users to divulge personal information with fake offers or fake warnings) or contain viruses or worms.
• Within seconds an unpatched computer attached to any network can be taken over and used to send more Spam, host pornography, or host software that can attack other computers.
• The threats continue to increase daily, and some old threats even get recycled and come around again.

In an effort to protect personal and Hartwick-owned computers, Hartwick has selected Symantec's Sygate Secure Enterprise to ensure network security on our campus.

Does this affect me--should I read on?
These new security standards and the use of Sygate apply to any desktop or laptop computer that attaches to Hartwick's network. To be honest, accessing the network for some will be more difficult with these new security standards. However, the goal is to protect the overall health of the network, so that as a resource it will be reliable and secure for us all to use.

How does it work?
Sygate Secure Enterprise uses a Security Agent (software) that runs on each computer attached to Hartwick's network. Think of this Security Agent as your keys to the network. There are one or more policy management servers distributed across the campus that ensure that all computers are compliant with Hartwick's security policy before permitting network/Internet access. If a computer is not compliant, it is connected to a remediation center Web page, where users can bring their computers into compliance. Only when the computers are brought into compliance will they be allowed network/Internet access.

All students with Hartwick-issued or Hartwick-recommended laptops will be issued one Windows Sygate Security Agent to use on those laptops. Students can use the Security Agent while they are Hartwick students but must delete it from their computers when they leave Hartwick. Faculty and staff will have one Windows Sygate Security Agent for each Hartwick-issued computer they use. Additional Security Agents can be purchased from the Technology Resource Center for $20 each (spring 2009--check with the TRC for current license pricing).

What the Sygate Security Agent Is Looking for and Reasons Why Your Computer Might Not be Compliant

Below you will find a list of reasons why a computer will fail a security check:

• Authentication of the computer has failed (unknown MAC address or IP address) .
• The computer is lacking the Security Agent.
• The computer lacks working anti-virus software or the latest virus updates.
• The computer lacks the appropriate Windows updates.
• The computer is already infected with a virus or adware/spyware or is running one of many file-sharing programs (such as Limewire, Kazaa, eDonkey, Morpheus).

The remediation center will allow you to update your anti-virus software and download Windows updates. If you do not have working anti-virus software or need help removing adware/spyware programs or file sharing programs, the Technology Resource Center (x4357) can help.

Why is Security of the Network so Important?

From a campus perspective, much of our daily lives (study, work, play) depends upon access to a dependable network and Internet; the College needs to take steps to ensure availability of this valuable resource to all constituents on campus: students, faculty, staff, and special guests.

From a personal perspective, the Sygate Security agent provides protection for your computer and its data with a personal firewall and adware/spyware blocker.

Questions?

If you have any questions or problems in downloading and installing Sygate Security Agent or getting access to the network, please call the Technology Resource Center at x4357.