Remote Access:

Remote access users are those who connect to our network from off-site locations, including telecommuters and after-hours workers who connect from home, from hotel rooms, and remote offices and clinics. There are two basic types of remote access used at ECU:

●    CITRIX, which uses software to provide the off-site computer secure access to the mainframe via the Internet. Access is controlled centrally the IT Staff. Communication is secured and encrypted. CITRIX is used by most School of Medicine (SOM) staff to access IDX or Logician. 

●    Virtual private networking (VPN), in which both the off-site computer and a VPN server on the organization's LAN are connected to the Internet. Special protocols are used to create a “tunnel” or virtual network directly between the two systems through the Internet. Communication is secured and encrypted.

Remote access presents special security threats because the organization's network administrators do not have as much control over off-site computers as they have over those physically wired to the LAN. A significant risk is presented when off-site users can access the Internet through their own Internet connections at the same time they are accessing the LAN through VPN. This split tunneling renders the VPN and LAN susceptible to attacks from the Internet that bypass the LAN’s firewall. The same risk is present if a user connects to a remote access server through a modem while connected to the Internet through a broadband connection.

Users should avoid any other use of the Internet when accessing the campus computer network via remote access. Please complete your remote connection activity and  log off the campus network before connecting to other Internet sites. This will reduce the threats that from other sources.

You should also ensure that your home computers are secured with the appropriate security patches, anti-virus and anti-spyware software.

If you desire remote access, please call IT Support services @ 328-9866.