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Information Security
Mission
The mission of Valdosta State University’s Information Security Services is:
- Ensuring the ability of Valdosta State University to grow and fulfill its mission in the face of an ever changing risk environment.
- Aiding the University in advancing a technologically sound education medium.
- Maintaining the role of an active and responsible participator in the Internet world.
- Ensuring the integrity of the University’s technology based teaching medium
The Information Security Department strives towards these goals by implementing, measuring and continuing to promote user awareness in the field of information security. The purposes of these goals are to strengthen the resilience of the University by limiting the effect of security related exposures through creating and maintaining policies and procedures to ensure business continuity. Developing and nourishing plans and methods for becoming both proactive and effectively reactive to threats that endanger the strategic plans of the University and the University system is ultimately the purpose for such endeavors.
Remote Deskop
Faculty and staff wishing to establish network connections originating from off campus (e.g., remote desktop) must complete the request form titled Request for External Network Connection prior to attempting connection.
Security Notices
June '08
Some students, faculty, or staff may have received an email recently with a subject " VERIFY YOUR VALDOSTA.EDU WEBMAIL ACCOUNT". The contents of this email requested user information ranging from one's username, password, security question/answer. The sender of this email claimed that the information was needed to verify that one's email address was still in use.
Users need to be aware that no representative of Valdosta State University should ever request any of your passwords. If valid access is required to your account(s) an authorized representative will notify you, change your password and access your account. You will thereby know that your account has been modified simply by the password change and the previous notification. You will then need to work with this representative to change your password to something only you know.
Review our section on Phishing in our FAQs for more information.
February '05
Atlanta-based firm that stores and maintains databases containing sensitive personal credit and background information, has admitted to allowing "unauthorized third parties" access to the sensitive information. The commercial firm is a source of over 10 billion records used for credit reports background checks and other similar processes. Additional information can be found on various news provider websites such as MSNBC and USA Today. Individuals are encouraged to check credit reports as outlined on Information Security's Identity Theft FAQ.
December '04
Fraudulent attacks, known as "phishing" use email or malicious web sites to solicit personal and often financial, information. Attackers may send email seemingly from a reputable credit card company or financial institution that requests account information by often suggesting that there is a problem with the user's account. More information can be found here.
November '04
Valdosta State University President, Dr. Ronald M. Zaccari, authorizes VSU's first Information Security Policy and an updated Information Resources Acceptable Use Policy.