Addressing security problems of computer network services: the case of University of  Dar es Salaam network

Livingstone, Danny

Addressing security problems of computer network services: the case of University of Dar es Salaam network

Date

2009

Authors

Livingstone, Danny

Publisher

University of Dar es Salaam

Abstract

Use of information technology is essential to most enterprises today and information security is now critical. User authentication, access control and the control of malicious logics is essential in service-oriented computer networks to identify and reject any unauthorized or suspicious network access. This work has concentrated on improvement of computer network security posture of UDSM as a case study. It consists of a comprehensive literature review on network security, which serves as a foundation of the research. The current security measures have been analysed based on ISO 17799. The data gathering instruments used was questionnaire with multiple choice questions, open-ended questions, and interviews to some selected respondents. Findings show that malicious software (malware) is the severe problem which the UDSM network suffers from. The study shows that users are aware of the danger imposed by malware; however, the weakness is on the control of their introduction into systems. Also Bad/Inadequate security practices resulted mainly from lack of clarity over ICT security responsibilities to users, IT staff and management. Thus, results of this study suggest that most of the good-to-have security practices as suggested by ISO 17799 are not part and parcel of day to day UDSM network security practices. It is therefore necessary that ICT security policy, access control procedures and communications and operations management be observed and where necessary be revisited and necessary amendments made to minimize security risks to an acceptable level. Given the observed problems, measures have been proposed in the dissertation to address the problems and improve the security posture of the UDSM network.

Description

Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library.

Keywords

Computer network, Security problems, University of Dar es Salaam

Citation

Livingstone, D (2009) Addressing security problems of computer network services: the case of University of Dar es Salaam network, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam.