The Threat

Network Security refers to the maintenance of any network.

There are many factors involved in keeping a network secure.
Keeping data stored in the network protected is a concern when it
comes to network security.
Networks that are attacked or disabled by viruses or malware
can disrupt a school by affecting instruction and preventing
productivity.
Misconceptions
The common misconception that networks can be easily hacked
by anyone tends to make users hesitant to trust technology.
Some network administrators deal with threats by locking down
everything associated with the network in order to avoid risks.
Sometimes teachers and students will even avoid using
computers available to them because they are afraid of
accidentally causing a problem.
Schools rely on networks to function, but the network MUST be
secure and protected.
Some districts implement rules and regulations in regards to use
of the network that prevent the use of technology in the
classroom.
Making technology more difficult to use in the classroom
means it is likely to be avoided altogether.
The Reality
While threats to the network to exist, they are not as common
as one would think.
Students have hacked into school systems to tamper with grades
or access test questions and answer keys.
Having more devices on a schools campus that access the
network means some areas will have a weaker filtering system
than others.

 This means that network security measures in place may

be avoided by students or others who know their way
around networking.
Administration tends to take a cautious approach when dealing
with network security. They usually have a better safe than sorry
type of policy that places heavy restrictions on what network
users can and cant do.

Responses to Network Security

Network Security policies vary from state to state and district to
district.
Some common measures taken by school districts include
restricting permission and use
using blocking and filtering
disabling usb drives (In some cases, USB drives have
contained viruses on them that will attack the network
when plugged into a computer connected to the network)
Restricting Permission
Restriction of permission means that users are only allowed
to access certain files and/or program or complete specific
actions on a computer.
Most restrictions can be overridden with an administrator
password.
Restrictions prevent users from accessing or altering files
on a computer.
Some administrators fear that teachers will download
software illegally or violate copyright permissions.
this causes schools to have a complete restriction of
permission on school computers
While this does eliminate many safety concerns, it
also prevents teachers from downloading materials
and programs they could use in their classrooms.

Disabling USB Drives

The main reason for disabling USB drives is to prevent users
from copying files illegally to a USB drive.
Some schools have even gone as far as filling USB drives with
epoxy to prevent teachers and students from using USB devices.
While this measure also eliminates safety concerns, it prevents
teachers and students from copying and saving files to a flash
drive in order to work on projects at a later time and on a
different computer.
Recommendations
There must be a compromise between a locked down no access
network and a too easily accessible network.
Both IT administrators and teachers must work together to come
up with the best solutions for their schools.
Six Major Focus Areas to Balance Security with Access - Wesley Fryer
(2003)
1. Develop a network rights strategy
2. Manage, without restricting, desktop computer activity so that
instructional needs are balanced with desktop security
3. Monitor student use.
4. Block unauthorized access from the outside through the use of
firewalls.
5. Customize the firewall to meet functional requirements
6. Set up secure remote access, so that teachers can use the school
server from home

Robinson, LeAnne K.; Brown, Abbie H.; Green, Tim D. (2010-11-10). Security
vs. Access: Balancing Safety and Productivity in the Digital School (p.

63). International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). Kindle

Edition.
7.