Colleges and Universities have long been the leading supporters and adopters of new technologies. This holds true in the growth of IT networks that support not only the educational and research functions of each institution, but the operational structure as well.
As more information is stored and transferred over these networks in electronic formats, there are growing concerns about the privacy of student and employee information. With regulations such as FERPA, HIPAA and Sarbanes-Oxley placing greater demands on the security and accuracy of these networks, there needs to be systems and procedures to support these ever increasing challenges.
The ability to synchronize time across the network may get overlooked, but should be a real concern for any IT professional. With the need to secure data and provide authentication for records and digital signatures, accurate and reliable time-stamping and audit trail support is needed. Synchronizing the network to a dedicated time source is the only way to provide these capabilities.
Not any time source will do though. The use of a GPS enabled NTP Time Server, such as NetClock, is the only way to provide Legally Traceable Time®. With this dedicated time source, placed behind the edge firewall of the network boundary, the synchronization of all devices in the network are accurate with official UTC, Coordinated Universal Time. This source for time also creates greater network security, as there is no need to open port 123 in the edge firewall to access an unreliable source over the internet. Synchronized time can also be displayed, so that others in the institution may benefit from it’s accuracy as well.
Spectracom offers many products to support IT professionals in the education field to gain greater security and compliance.
Products for Education
NetClock® GPS/NTP systems provide accurate, reliable, secure, Legally Traceable Time® to university and departmental networks, networked devices, student record systems and display clocks throughout the facility and campus. NetClock provides this time through NTP for Ethernet networks and timecode outputs for specialized devices.
Features: Secure and Legally Traceable Time®, stratum-1 accuracy,
Benefits: Supports interoperability and regulatory compliance, accurate time stamps and audit trails, easy-to-install and manage
The NetClock® Wireless Clock System displays accurate, Legally Traceable Time®, throughout an educational facility and campus with unprecedented reliability and convenience. No wires. No FCC license. Consistent coverage is ensured through a unique wireless mesh time network.
Features: Wire-free, FCC compliant, official time
Benefits: Operational efficiency, easy installation, interference-free, time consistent with network infrastructure