COS will implement a new authentication system for wireless access starting March 15. For the last few years, it has been the school’s vision to provide free wireless access to its students and faculty. Now it looks like it may actually happen—again.
The college shut down all its wireless access points in late December 2009, right after finals, due to a security hole that Dean of Technology Tim Hollabaugh described as “too close to home in terms of personal and monetary data to overlook.”
No actual breach took place and the COS Technology Committee took pre-emptive action to ensure it stayed that way. At any given time, there were on average 100-150 users on the COS Wi-Fi network.
“We knew we were playing with fire so when we found a security hole that just couldn’t be overlooked, we took a step back to fix the hole and put in Wi-Fi that was good for the district,” Hollabaugh said. “When we set out, we didn’t have an overall plan. We just started testing certain areas to get a feel for how many people would use it. We found it a success. Turns out, everyone wants to have Wi-Fi.”
The upcoming new system recently claimed the top spot in the well-funded wireless challenge survey conducted by the CSU’s. It includes three different privilege levels: Joe Duffle-bag, Joe Student, and Joe Teacher. Each user will be able to connect wirelessly for free and be granted varying levels of access to the data within the overall COS network.
“Now that we have a plan, a product, and the technology we can start hacking away and make this thing work for everyone. The beauty of it is that we have the same system out at Hanford,” says Hollabaugh.
Starting March 15 the following areas around the COS campus will provide free wireless access: LRC, Kern, John Muir, Hospital Rock, Sequoia, Cedar, and TLC. The student recreation center and cafeteria are next in line to be funded.
“This may be where a lot of cows live but we got some really smart people out here and the technology to stay connected,” says Hollabaugh. “We are no longer in the boondocks and this is just the beginning.”
Wi-Fi Returning to COS
Published: Thursday, March 11, 2010
Updated: Monday, March 15, 2010 18:03
 "Photo: Courtesy of Google Images")
Courtesy of Google Images
2 comments
“We are no longer in the boondocks and this is just the beginning.” Tim Hollabaugh
I guess its back to the boondocks for COS.
3 months is too long for internet to be out of order at a college