SULAIR's Associate Director of Academic Computing, Dave Futey was featured in the October 28, 2005 issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education. His article, "A Study of Residential Networks Finds Concerns About Security", described findings from an international survey of 224 academic institutions, conducted by the ResNet Organization.
Dave chairs the ResNet Organization and led the research team, the ResNet Applied Research Group, which conducted the 92-question survey. He was quoted in the Chronicle as saying that the survey was the first attempt to determine "what a res-net service area is at institutions, the level of services it provides, and the technology supported through it."
The information gathered through the survey related to the scope of responsibilities of those supporting residential networks, staffing, support and services provided, supported network infrastructure, fees and budgets, security measures and policies. The survey also sought feedback on what future challenges the respondents saw in supporting a residential environment.
According to the article, among the many findings, security issues and providing wireless technology were reported to be the top two challenges facing institutions in support of their residential areas. (See also Update on Wireless in the Campus Residences in this issue.) Dave was surprised that many of the surveyed institutions, nearly 46 percent, did not provide any wireless service to residential areas. The survey revealed many other interesting findings related to security, policies, network infrastructure and support.
To see the results of the survey, go to:
http://www.resnetsymposium.org/workinggroups/research.htm
Dave also co-authored two articles for the Educause Center for Applied Research (ECAR). One article related to findings in the 2005 ResNet Survey, another on the ResNet Organization and the growth of ResNet service areas in higher education institutions. As you may know, Stanford University is considered the founding member of the ResNet Organization and has hosted the ResNet Symposium, an annual conference, four times, including the first three ever held. Since Stanford University is a subscriber to ECAR, you will be able to view and read these articles at:
Note that in order to read the Chronicle's article noted above in its entirety, you must be a Chronicle of Higher Education subscriber. To subscribe go to: http://chronicle.com. The article, listed under the Information Technology section, is located at:
