Re: Cybersecurity Students

["Pete, Andrew" <000000d06e28c017-dmarc-request () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU>]

Thanks for the responses everyone.  This has been very beneficial.

From: The EDUCAUSE Security Community Group Listserv <SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU> On Behalf Of Nicholas 
Garigliano
Sent: Friday, April 5, 2019 9:21 AM
To: SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU
Subject: Re: [SECURITY] Cybersecurity Students

I guess it depends on how "evaluate the security posture" is defined.  If we are talking about  reviewing published 
policies, doing Shodan research, going through publicly accessible web sites for information that could be used against 
the school etc.,  then I don't see an issue.  If we are talking about using something like Kali to do a "pentest" or 
even just performing a vulnerability assessment using a scanner, i.e. OpenVAS, then YIKES!.

Irrespective of the potential operational issues, it can't be stressed enough to the students that using Kali or just 
about any tool outside of a well defined and contained test environment, without prior written consent AND a ROE can 
land them in jail.  There really isn't anything to discuss. This isn't about trying to scare them, because we know that 
doesn't work.   This is the reality.  There are enough real world examples of security "researchers" who thought they 
were being helpful but ended up being charged.  And I'm sure your legal department will confirm this.  As a parent, I 
find it irresponsible of the professor and the school to even suggest that the students go after the school network, if 
this is the case, with just a simple verbal agreement.

It isn't that difficult to set up a virtual test lab with controlled access for the students to practice.  The 
professor could even show them how to do this (cheap computer with free version of ESXi) for home testing.

Ok, done with my rant.  Thanks for listening.

Nick Garigliano CISSP, GCIH
Network Security Engineer
Enterprise & Network Solutions
Nazareth College
585 389-2109


On Thu, Apr 4, 2019 at 1:44 PM Pete, Andrew <000000d06e28c017-dmarc-request () listserv educause 
edu<mailto:000000d06e28c017-dmarc-request () listserv educause edu>> wrote:
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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