OU's SBA sets itself apart by offering students access to hands-on, experiential training. However, because of the nature of network security, it's been challenging to give MIS students this same opportunity without jeopardizing computers and networks across campus.
However, thanks to a generous donation of hardware from Juniper Networks and the expertise of faculty members in this field, the SBA installed an advanced Security Network Instructional Lab this fall. Now, MIS students can experiment with network configurations, firewalls and computer malware.
"Providing practical experiences for students studying information systems topics is an ongoing challenge because students must be exposed to techniques and technologies that can potentially damage data, software and networks," says Srinarayan Sharma, associate professor, MIS, who, along with Brian Paige, executive director, network and technology, University Technology Services, and Rob Nehmer, associate professor, accounting, is overseeing the construction of the new lab. "This poses a challenge because most networks connect to the Internet and consequently may connect to various organizational computing systems," adds Sharma.
The SBA's Security Network Instructional Lab will give students experiential learning opportunities without compromising the security of OU's computing systems or other systems that can be reached through the Internet.
The new lab enhances an already strong and recognized program that prepares students for this growing field. In fact, the United States Department of Labor predicts that careers for network systems and data communications analysts, and computer/network security will be among the fastest-growing occupations thanks to the increasing sophistication of cyber attacks.
"As cyber attacks become more sophisticated, there will be a critical need for professionals who are on the cutting edge of technology," says Sharma.
The lab will also be used to simulate networked economies.
"The virtualization features of the lab, which allow the creation and operation of multiple servers on one physical device, will allow us to create economies of servers which interact with each other much the same as servers act in the real world," says Nehmer. "This can be useful in building simulations of new uses of technologies in multiple server environments. One study is being developed which will test how software agents can be used to improve systems of internal controls in e-commerce environments."
In addition to the academic benefits, SBA faculty members can use this new resource to conduct research and explore issues relating to desktop virtualization, surveillance and information systems security.
These projects will have a significant impact on education, business and the environment. For example, the desktop virtualization project offers the opportunity to reduce power consumption and greenhouse emission by 80 percent.
This is significant because, "each computer in a computer lab can produce greenhouse emissions equivalent to a pick-up truck during its life-cycle. The entire lab would produce many times more," says Sharma. "Moreover, the capital spent upgrading computer labs could be expended somewhere else."
The lab will also support education across disciplines within SBA and OU. In addition to MIS security courses, the SBA will hold courses such as Audit and Control, Business Application Architecture, Business Object Development, Advanced Auditing, and Enterprise Risk Management and Control. Across campus, the new lab can support programs in medicine, engineering, nursing and the liberal arts.
"We are grateful for the support from Juniper," says Robin Michel, development director, SBA. "The new lab will further enhance the reputation of SBA's Master of Science in Information Technology Management (MSITM) program and the education students in the program receive, particularly in the concentration of IS networking and security."
By Dawn Pauli
OU's SBA sets itself apart by offering students access to hands-on, experiential training. However, because of the nature of network security, it's been challenging to give MIS students this same opportunity without jeopardizing computers and networks across campus.
Thanks to a generous donation of hardware from Juniper Networks and the expertise of faculty members in this field, the SBA installed an advanced Security Network Instructional Lab this fall. Now, MIS students can experiment with network configurations, firewalls and computer malware.