Network Requirements - Compliance and Disconnection from internet and network access
A key aspect of our cyber security work in IT Services is to ensure that all Windows PCs and Apple Macs connecting to the College network in offices and labs, and to the Staff Wi-Fi and VPN services, are running up-to-date versions of their operating system, have our supported anti-virus software installed and are encrypted. Given the increasing importance of cyber security, this is essential work to keep both your data and College data and IT systems secure and is a part of the terms and conditions of registering a device for connection to the above services.
For those using Windows PCs and macOS devices registered for connection to the network in offices and labs, and on the Staff Wi-Fi and VPN services, we use a tool called Microsoft Intune to enrol the devices for endpoint management, including the management of operating system security updates, Microsoft Defender for anti-virus, and encryption via BitLocker for Windows devices and FileVault for macOS devices.
When you first register a PC or Mac for connection to our network, we'll carry out checks to make sure your device meets these requirements. Subsequently, if we identify a PC or Mac that had registered for connection to the network in offices and labs, or on the Staff Wi-Fi or VPN services, which is running an unsupported version of Windows or macOS, which is not correctly enrolled in Intune, or which is not correctly configured for anti-virus and encryption then we will attempt to contact the person who last logged into the device with instructions on how to bring the device back into compliance.
Non-compliance: Disconnection from internet and network access
Where the nature of non-compliance of a computer constitutes a security risk, or where our efforts to request that action to be taken have failed, IT Services will proceed to technically disconnect the computer from internet and network access. The disconnection will take place irrespective of the location the computer is currently being used in, whether on-campus or off-campus, and connection will be restored once it is confirmed the required actions will be taken to bring the device back into a compliant state. Disconnection from the network may also be required where a computer has not been connected to our network for several months and so has not been kept up to date with the latest security updates.
Our advice is to ensure that computers, which your area has an on-going requirement for, be connected to the network on a frequent basis to receive the latest security updates, and to avoid disconnection due to inactivity or non-compliance.