Re: Cybersecurity Students

["Burns, Denis" <denis.burns () MED FSU EDU>]

Hi Andrew,

I think my take on this question is a little different than some others.  Are you asking whether they should be allowed 
to test your infrastructure, or are they being asked to evaluate it from an academic methodology.

You have had plenty of responses to the former and I agree wholeheartedly that all such activity should occur in a lab 
setting that is isolated from any of your live network.

To the latter, I would caution against that as well.  I make a strong point of not disclosing even vendor names of 
products that we use, much less the products or configurations to anyone outside the operations staff that work the 
magic.  The old adage of “loose lips sink ship” fits into the cybersecurity realm like a glove.  I would work up 
tabletop exercises that may simulate the installed infrastructure, but leave enough details out, or alter them, such 
that a disgruntled, or ambitious, student can’t exploit an area that you know may have some of your weaker controls.

Like all of the advice that you’ve gotten, mine is worth every penny you paid.

Best,
-denis

Denis Burns Information Security and Privacy Officer - College of Medicine - Florida State University
(850) 644-3648 – denis.burns () med fsu edu<mailto:denis.burns () med fsu edu>  *** Be a cyberhero! Build a safe 
cyberspace at Florida State. ***

From: The EDUCAUSE Security Community Group Listserv <SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU> On Behalf Of Pete, Andrew
Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2019 1:45 PM
To: SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU
Subject: [SECURITY] Cybersecurity Students

[Notice: This email originated outside of the College of Medicine.]
________________________________
Hi Everyone,

I was brought on a little over a year ago to help improve the organization’s overall security posture and build out an 
information security program.  Historically, we have authorized our faculty to let students evaluate the security 
posture of our infrastructure as part of their teaching efforts.  I have started an internal discussion around ceasing 
these types of activities by faculty and students for security reasons.  I was curious what other institutions are 
doing in regards to this area?

Thanks,

Andrew Pete
Information Security Architect

New England Institute of Technology
One New England Tech Boulevard
East Greenwich, RI 02818-1205
401-780-4460 (Direct)
apete () neit edu<mailto:apete () neit edu>

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