Server/Desktop Security Guidelines

SUDO/Admin Access

To request sudo/admin for a user, the faculty sponsor must submit the following information to csc_help@ncsu.edu for consideration.

1. faculty sponsor name.
2. student names and university email addresses of those who need sudo/admin access.
3. computer fully qualified domain name.
4. justification of why users need sudo/admin access.

Local Accounts

OS Local accounts are prohibited unless they are absolutely necessary. If you need a local account on a host, you must submit your request for review and approval to csc_help@ncsu.edu. Please include the following information with your request:

1. faculty sponsor name
2. machine hostname
3. justification for needing local accounts
4. length of time needed for local accounts

Dual Boot

Dual OS boot environments are NOT allowed on departmental-owned computers.  There is a substantial risk that one of the Boot OSes will be offline long enough to miss critical system/application updates and patches on dual-boot environments. Booting up an OS without proper updates and patches significantly increases the risk of being compromised. As a solution, we recommend running virtual machine software (e.g., VMware Workstation/Fusion, etc.)

Software Updates

All systems must be powered ON and plugged into the network to receive critical patches and updates.