Securing Library IT - A View From The Ground

Abstract

The Dalhousie Libraries Information Technologies Services team has a lot in common with other IT departments when it comes to security, but we do face some challenges that are unique to libraries. We have large numbers of computers for student and public use at the front end and server infrastructure at the back end that must all be protected while maintaining a balance with the open, accessible nature of libraries.

Academic libraries spend a great deal of money to provide their faculty and students access to electronic resources in order to support learning and research. Many others outside that audience want access to these resources as well, creating a security problem for libraries. The threat has evolved significantly over the years from single breached accounts to the modern Sci-Hub controversy that has leveraged automation and technological sophistication to get past security systems of old.

To resolve these issues we’ve developed better tools to share information faster within the university and have developed an improved dialogue with some of our major content vendors.