To commemorate National Cyber Security Awareness Month in October, the Department of Information Technology released a new secure network for everyone to use.
ACUsecure, the new SSID, is just the latest development for ACU’s wireless network.
A SSID, short for service set identifier, acts as a password when it is sent over a wireless local-area network, securing the network.
In order to use it, students and faculty have to login using their myACU username and password and accept the new network.
Arthur Brant, director of networking services, said his team has been working for about year to deploy this new SSID.
“We originally wanted to deploy this new secure network this summer, before students returned from summer break,” Brant said. “But our workload this summer prevented us from being able to make this due date.”
ACUsecure was a collaborative effort across the Information Technology department. Those involved were:
- ACU’s Technology Support team
- Team 55
- Network Security team
Brant said most of the effort was focused on ensuring functionality across the myriad of devices that connect to ACU’s wireless network.
“Encryption is the primary benefit that this network offers,” Brant said. “Another benefit is a more convenient method of accessing the wireless network.”
Kristy Strickland, director of ACU Training Center, said encryption over a wireless network means that the data sent over is confused and can’t be intercept by others.
“Encrypted network just means that people won’t be able to intercept date from point to point,” Strickland said. “If you are checking email, doing online purchases or banking online, you might want to use the encrypted ACUsecure network.”
Game console are not recommend to use the new network since they are not compatible.
With about 15 thousand unique devices and over 900 wireless access points, it’s hard to gauge the reliability of the wireless network on campus.
“We rely heavily on the input from students, faculty and staff to help ensure that the wireless network is both reliable and functional,” Brant said. “I would encourage everyone who may have experienced WiFi problems to contact Team55 or the Helpdesk.”
For more information, contact branta@acu.edu or call Team55 at 325-674-555.
