MPS Security

So, I'm in the basement tech. room, sitting at a generic cubicle, on a basic Dell, with a network switch sitting right next to me.  One would think this would be wired neatly.......

Anyway, it turns out my cubicle partner is a longtime music friend of my family.  Long story short,  my husband student taught under the supervision of her father.  As the music community is rather small anyway, this was a nice reunion for me.  I do not feel quite so lost in the large department of programmers and analysts I find myself working with!

We did take some time over lunch to discuss how network passwords and security are set, and this is her primary function for the tech. department.  The first rule is, do not give out your name or phone number.  In reality, this is easy enough for anyone to find, but generally, if someone wants that info, make them work for it.

After that, some basic protocols have to be followed for one to get access to some of the more sensitive parts of data in the MPS pool.  An application, printable from the portal, must be filled out, and signed by a supervisor.  Additionally, there are only a certain number of people from each school who will have more access to the sensitive data.  For example -  I am a teacher.  I have access to data on any student I teach.  I have access to Burdick School Data on the DataWarehouse.  My principal has eSis access to every student in the school.  He also has access to district wide DataWarehouse information.  Guidance counselors and those trained to enroll/remove students from eSis also have greater access that me, your basic teacher.

Double checking the security levels and signatures on requests is a very important part of her job.  A change in security level is done only with the appropriate signature on the correct form.