Vulnerability Management Program at RIT

In order to reduce information security risks, RIT conducts periodic vulnerability assessments that consist of scanning computers campus-wide for high-risk exposures. In addition, the ISO or its designee may scan as needed for vulnerabilities that are under attack.

What is RIT scanning for?

The vulnerability assessments will include scans of communication services, operating systems, and applications to identify high-risk system weaknesses that could be exploited by intruders. These exploits have the potential to compromise the confidentiality, integrity or availability of RIT information resources.

Which computers may be scanned?

All computers connected to the Institute campus network, including but not limited to those located in the residence halls as well as remote computers accessing the RIT network through VPN may be scanned. The Network Security Standard requires that any system connecting to the network must be scanned regularly for hosts that are vulnerable to remotely exploitable attacks.

What information is obtained and how will it be treated?

Vulnerability scanning will provide an inventory of vulnerabilities and their criticality. This information will be treated as RIT Confidential. The scans will not search the content of personal electronic files on the scanned computers. In addition, the scans should not cause network outages although systems administrators may see log entries of the scans reflected in their logs.

How will critical vulnerabilities be handled?

If critical vulnerabilities are identified, RIT will work collaboratively with the responsible systems administrator or team to address the vulnerabilities. If the critical vulnerabilities remain unaddressed after successive scans and there is no acceptable plan to address them, the ISO will initiate a conversation between the systems administration team and the information steward of that organization. The ISO intends to work collaboratively with systems administration teams and their information stewards to improve the security posture of their organization.