Educause Security Discussion mailing list archives

Re: Restricting PC Admin Rights


From: Frank Barton <bartonf () HUSSON EDU>
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2018 15:35:54 -0400

Denis... why the expiring passwords? and what time-frame are you using?

Frank

On Mon, Aug 13, 2018 at 3:14 PM, Burns, Denis <denis.burns () med fsu edu>
wrote:

We are taking the “Never let a good crisis go to waste” methodology and
are using another initiative to roll it to our customer base.



Everyone wants Windows 10, but we have been slow to adopt.  Now, all new
images have standard user rights.  Many IT folks are issued a separate
domain account with local admin rights **on their computer only** for
dismissing UAC’s and running things elevated as needed.



For customer support, we use LAPS for technicians to elevate as needed on
computers in the field (either remotely or in person).



We are about 70% through and should complete in the next 2 months; we have
only met minimal pushback.  We also instituted a process for anyone to
request software that involves leadership review/approval and deployment
via Software Center for most products.



Next on deck for us, expiring passwords.



-d



Denis Burns Information Security and Privacy Officer - College of Medicine
- Florida State University

(850) 644-3648 – denis.burns () med fsu edu  *** Be a cyberhero! Build a
safe cyberspace at Florida State. ***



*From:* The EDUCAUSE Security Constituent Group Listserv <
SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU> *On Behalf Of *Boyd, Daniel
*Sent:* Monday, August 13, 2018 2:36 PM
*To:* SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU
*Subject:* Re: [SECURITY] Restricting PC Admin Rights



I am about to take up this fight at my institution. I’ll also be closely
watching this thread and would also appreciate any input on strategy and
marketing that anyone can offer, as I am rather new at this job (only six
weeks in and already going for the heavyweights…).



I would be glad to take any conversations offline and would report back a
summary to the list, if anyone is interested.



Dan





Daniel H. Boyd (94C)
Director of Information Security

Office for Information Technology

Information Security Advisory Group Chair
Berry College
Phone: 706-236-1750
Fax:     706-238-5824


There are two rules to follow with your account passwords:
1. NEVER SHARE YOUR PASSWORDS WITH ANYONE (EVEN OIT!!!!)
2. If unsure, consult rule #1







*From:* Davis, Chris <CDavis () LOURDES EDU>
*Sent:* Monday, August 13, 2018 12:03 PM
*Subject:* Re: [External Sender] [SECURITY] Restricting PC Admin Rights



For such an easy security measure, this always creates havoc.  On the IT
side of things, so many things can be prevented with a least privilege
model.  However, from the other side of the house, we always meet huge
resistance because we are “taking away admin rights” from our users.



People feel like we don’t trust them.  And from a certain point of view
that is right.  In the security world, we should not trust anyone.  But at
the same time, the people I really don’t trust are those that are targeting
our employees.  So, this is measure that gives some quick security at no
cost, other than a change in the way our users do things.



I will be watching this thread closely.



Chris





*Christopher Davis, Ph.D.*
Chief Information Officer
Assistant Professor of Education
Apple Teacher
Lourdes University
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cdavis () lourdes edu

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On Aug 13, 2018, at 11:06 AM, Pardonek, Jim <jpardonek () LUC EDU> wrote:



Not sure if there is somewhere else I can get this info, I’m sure it’s
been asked before, but I am checking to see how many of your institutions
restrict admin rights.  We are putting a proposal together to leadership to
do exactly that as we have had a number of folks fall for scams that
involve the installation of software on their PCs.



Thanks,





*James Pardonek, MS, CISSP, CEH, GSNA*

*Information Security Officer*


* Loyola University Chicago  1032 W. Sheridan Road | Chicago, IL
<https://maps.google.com/?q=1032+W.+Sheridan+Road+%7C+Chicago,+IL+60660&entry=gmail&source=g>  60660
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-- 
Frank Barton, MBA
Security+, ACMT, MCP
IT Systems Administrator
Husson University

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