Educause Security Discussion mailing list archives

Re: Role of Campus Police. Was: number of IT security staff


From: Antonio Quesada <aquesada () GUC USG EDU>
Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 13:29:39 -0500

Well, an InfoSec Officer of another institution of the University System
of Georgia was kind enough to call me and tell me that she disagrees on
my position that Information Security should be handled by Campus
Police. Her point being that Campus Police is not trained to deal with
electronic crime and that information security is more than just Crime
Prevention. I appreciate her reading my post, Thanks!!!!

I would like to expand on my point and present my thoughts on the
matter. 

I entirely agree on the issue of "not trained" or "not prepared", but
that is not the point. The point is, they shall be "prepared". We can
help them now, but all law enforcement activities belong to the police.
I respect police work to the fullest, of course I do, but in all
honesty, I do not want to be a police man. I want to be a Data Network
Manager and continue my career in this field. Years ago the police did
not have the training or equipment to identify/stop speeders, drug
carriers, concealed weapons, etc. etc.

I am of the firm idea that we need to separate the function of Data
Network/Systems/IT/etc Management from the Security function, and this
latter function shall belong to a law enforcement force. 

This way those of us who want to do IT will do it, and those who wish to
pursue law enforcement, electronic or not, will. 
And also, will keep us IT guys more accountable, since we are not in
charge of collecting/handling evidence.

This may take a while to happen, but I really believe it is the way to
go. 
Please feel free to flame me. 


Thanks.

Antonio Quesada
Network Manager, OIT
Gwinnett University Center
1000 University Center Lane Suite B3800
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
USA
678-407-5093

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