<p>according to my son, KP has issued a new policy (brought down from Marad).
from today onward, mids are not allowed to have external hard drives, wireless keyboards or wireless mice.(this appears to impact flash drives as well)
not sure how they are to back up their sea projects once the USB ports are disabled.
I realize security is always a concern, but at KP? come on- this sounds like it has stupid written all over it.
of course we can't really verify this on the USMMA official website, as parts of it haven't been updated in years. sure sends out a really strong message to any technologically minded candidates.</p>
<p>I think this policy only applies to Plebes. They want them to start off exactly equal. I’m sure once they’re recognized they can get some extra equipment.</p>
<p>This issue has received lots of attention on another forum. check out:</p>
<p>[Computer</a> Accessories - United States of America Service Academy Forums](<a href=“http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=7661]Computer”>http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=7661)</p>
<p>Here is the email that we received from Howard Wiener today:</p>
<p>M/N and P/C:</p>
<p>Lately, there seems to be confusion about the Information Technology policies at the Academy. Current rumor and misinformation alleges the policies have changed, and that these recent changes are due to actions taken by the Maritime Administration and US Department of Transportation. As in all rumors, there is an element of truth, but these rumors are largely incorrect.</p>
<p>There has been no change in Academy policies since the most recent Superintendents Instruction issued in the Spring of 2006.</p>
<p>The policy has always been that no M/N or P/C can have additional hardware and/or software beyond what they received during their class Plebe Indoctrination. Any member of the Regiment who desires additional hardware and/or software must first seek approval through the chain of command. If the Commandant agrees with the request, then approval from my office has largely been automatic.</p>
<p>Let me provide several examples of exceptions that have been approved:</p>
<p>[1] The Class of 2008 was the last to receive laptops featuring an unacceptable rate of hard drive failures. At the (then) Commandants request, we issued a blanket approval to all members of that class requesting to have an external hard drive on campus.</p>
<p>[2] Members of each years first classespecially those in the fifth or later year in the instructional programmay find their Plebe-issued laptop is no longer under warranty and cannot be repaired. The (then) Commandant requested, and we agreed, that a desktop PC could be purchased as a replacementas long as all Sea Year and Internship requirements were complete and no additional degree related travel was required.</p>
<p>[3] More recently, members of the Class of 2009 with Gateway laptops found their warranties unenforceable, when Gateway entered bankruptcy. The current Superintendent requested that we loan members of that class alternative laptops, when their Gateway laptops failed.</p>
<p>[4] Single player game software, PDA software, iPod software, MP3 player software, and personal digital camera software was authorized first on a case-by-case basis, but is now installed without requiring any formal approval.</p>
<p>The Academy has never authorized, and cannot authorize under federal law, the use of unmanaged network devices on the campus network, like routers, switches, wireless access points, and data cards issued by cellular telephone carriers. Operating any of these on the campus is a violation with an appropriate set of conduct sanctions and a temporary loss of certain network access privileges.</p>
<p>Having said all of this, let me note that when on Sea Year assignments, the hardware and software you have is controlled by the network policies of the employers for whom you will worknot the Academy. When at home the hardware and software you have is entirely your choice. When on campus, you must obey the same laws and policies that govern all federal employees and federal contractors using federal networks and servicesunless the Academy has sought and received relief from federal policies from the Maritime Administration and the US Department of Transportation.</p>
<p>Both the Maritime Administration and the US Department of Transportation have supportedand continue to support for at least the present timeexceptions which permit the use of flash drives, desktop printers, Skype, public instant messaging services, and access to social networking sites. Any attribution or suggestion that we (and in particular you) have not been supported by the Maritime Administration and/or the Department of Transportation is misplaced and patently false. Federal employees may not use flash drives. Many federal agencies are sealing/inactivating USB ports on federal personal computers, none support access to Skype or public instant messaging services. Many agencies do not permit access to social networking sites. Those that do permit access to social networking sites have such policies now under reviewstarting last week. Yet, you are not (presently) subject to these limitations.</p>
<p>Unrelated to IT policies is a policy that remains in effect at Kings Point. Previous and current administrations believe all midshipmen coming to Kings Point should enter and compete on a level playing field. In general terms this means if one person enjoys an advantage, then that same advantage must be made available to all midshipmen. This restriction inevitably finds its way into computer hardware and software purchases some midshipmen and their families would like to make, but not all midshipmen and their families can afford to make.</p>
<p>Finally, last spring, the Academy discovered a serious breach of security largely involving members of the Class of 2012. The investigations which followed showed hacking software, pirated audio and video files, massive quantities of adult themed materials (which are banned by the Commandant and Superintendent) on external hard drives. Due to the nature of the Windows operating system software, surveillance of external hard drives by software designed to insure network integrity is impossible. </p>
<p>Related to this breach was a theft of funds aided and abetted by a midshipman hacking a Bluetooth device. </p>
<p>Under federal law, we are required to identify risk on the network and then either eliminate or mitigate that risk. That is why we are redoubling our efforts to insuring unapproved hardware and software is not present at Kings Point. If you havent received prior written approval through your chain of command, and the Office of the CIO, then you are not permitted items beyond the Plebe Issue.</p>
<p>Everything you need to succeed at Kings Point was provided to you during your Plebe Indoctrination. You can backup your hard drives on the network to safeguard your valuable course and educational materials. You can use your flash drive for the same purpose. You can even burn CDs and DVDs. HOWEVER, if you believe you need more support than what youve received, then you must gain prior written approval through your chain of command and the Office of the CIO.</p>
<p>V/r,</p>
<p>HDW | CIO | US Merchant Marine Academy</p>
<p>Howard D. Weiner
300 Steamboat Rd
Kings Point, NY 11024-1699</p>
<p>(P) 516.726.5801
(C) 412.720.5517</p>
<p>Fact: USMMA requires Midshipmen to complete all academic and professional education and training, accept a commission as an Ensign in the USNR, and receive a license from the U.S. Coast Guard in order to receive an undergraduate degree. Graduates of all other federal service academies must receive additional taxpayer funded training in their military occupational skill following graduation before they can be assigned to an operational unit in their branch of the armed forces. The USMMA makes $en$e for America.</p>
<p>Apparently the ever lovable Weiner decided to go on a power trip. He was supposedly walking around the barracks looking for erroneous networks with his “magic device” and kept getting massive hits. But when he went into said room to find the router/air card/whatever… he couldn’t find it. The answer to his riddle? The Xbox 360. By the time he finally found out, the above email had already been sent, and now he is in one of those saving face by not backing down modes.</p>
<p>I’m trusting that the 3- and 4-to-a-room kids EACH have access to the network, via a wired router that KP installed for them (due to overcrowding/temporary room assignments) – Good grief, … forget about nuances of wireless mice if each and every computer doesn’t have fundamental access to the network.</p>
<p>That might just be a bit too trusting. I know our DD spent time in a room last year with more people than working jacks. Note the use of the word working. In fact, first tri, she had neighbors who had zero working internet jacks and who came into her room to connect. They’ll manage somehow.</p>
<p>I acutally read this memo/email and found it both comporehensive, well written and right on the mark. As a guy who’s worked in high tech companies for over 25 years where we have all the issues and then some that Mr. Weiner as CIO of a College, that must uniquely also live within the confines of Federal Government IT policies and procedures, since seeing what is and isn’t being done or allowed at KP from a parents perspective over the last 13 months, I think he does a great job. I also didn’t find anything in the note that seemed like a “power trip.” </p>
<p>I’d also say that I suspect the issues and ripples he has to deal with everyday from the incident he alludes to when he says </p>
<p>“Finally, last spring, the Academy discovered a serious breach of security largely involving members of the Class of 2012.”</p>
<p>probably still make his life a lot different and more misreble than any member of the regiment on a day to day basis. Again from what I saw Mr. Weiner and his team went out of their way to NOT go on a power trip but persistant violations of policies and basic good IT IA conduct by the involved midshipmen made that impossible. In making this statement I have some pretty direct second hand (first hand being the actual members of the Clas of 2012 he alludes to) knowledge. To be sure the key midshiman involved clearly got at least three strikes before he was “out.”</p>
<p>Jasperdog -</p>
<p>Speaking as an individual who wrote the Computer Policies for the US Department of Justice, I have to respectfully disagree.</p>
<p>I was responsible for Government Computing Resources for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (read that as CONVICTED FELONS) for a number of years. Even I didn’t have the audacity to try to implement the stupidity that Wiener is trying to do.</p>
<p>Wiener is a non-essential GS-12 (maybe even a 13) trying to hold on to a job that he’s not even close to being qualified for. The policies that he’s trying to enact are outside of the bounds of common sense.</p>
<p>I hope he tries to take the “external hard drive” that I gave my 2010 son for his birthday. Really…I do.</p>
<p>He’s a moron. I’m more than willing to put my reputation up against his on this one.</p>
<p>JRH - Interesting post and tenor from a “policy” guy. I guess I’m kinder and more giving then you. I’m not sure if you are directly familiar with any of the details of what Mr. Wiener is trying to deal with. I really enjoyed your characterization of him as a “non-essential GS-12 (maybe even a 13)” etc. </p>
<p>It was quite well thought out and phrased. I also really enjoy and would like to congratulate you for substaniating your comments.</p>
<p>I’d only further state that I put into word my personal thoughts based on expereinces and the knowledge I had/have of the situation. You on the other hand have choosen to reply with respectful disagreement of my opinion and a rather personal attack of a guy who you basically characterize as a “working stiff” who is probably as you point out just trying to do a job.</p>
<p>Which aspects of the items listed in the memo, not the hearsay and urban legends we are hearing about here under the annonominity (sp?) of the internet are you specifically pointing to when you say “Even I didn’t have the audacity to try to implement the stupidity that Wiener is trying to do”? </p>
<p>Also keep in mind just a couple of days prior to the issuance of his memo, his boss told, a group we hope represents the future leaders for our Nation’s Maritime Industry, they were like POWs and should be happy in all things like Admiral Stockdale was - slight parapharsing to point to the fact that audacity seems to be something in large supply in and around the 11024 zip code these days.</p>
<p>JRH, The computer policy comes from Adm. Worley. You can get your mids ext. drive from his office.</p>
<p>it wasn’t taken, he was saying that it’d be foolish of them to attempt to take it. it’s personal property. theft is theft.</p>
<p>Is said drive still in use on academy grounds ?</p>
<p>If there is anyone on this forum from the academy please answer this question that comes from the quote…</p>
<p>“Unrelated to IT policies is a policy that remains in effect at Kings Point. Previous and current administrations believe all midshipmen coming to Kings Point should enter and compete on a level playing field. In general terms this means if one person enjoys an advantage, then that same advantage must be made available to all midshipmen. This restriction inevitably finds its way into computer hardware and software purchases some midshipmen and their families would like to make, but not all midshipmen and their families can afford to make.”</p>
<p>So first, if all is to be equal… why don’t all the barracks have air condiitoning. Each midshipman is not on equal ground when they have to live and learn in no air living conditions! Yes I know there are graduates out there that did it before but we as humans are conditioned differently now, we no longer have to travel by wagon train.</p>
<p>Second to families being able to afford…come on…even people have to choose what they want to spend their available funds on when they are multimillionaires. Some of them even die oweing millions. The most important thing here is that the USMMA graduate midshipmen that are competitive with the market they are going into. Limiting their use of current technology due to the fact that some of their piers cannot afford the “wireless” mouse (for example) is crazy for all. Even if one cannot afford the hardware at least they are exposed to it first hand and know it exist when they graduate. These young folks are eager to learn…let them! Now if they are hacking and doing things illegal…slam them for that!</p>
<p>Jasperdog, et. al. - </p>
<p>True, I was a bit harsh, and for that I apologize. However, having spent many years in the world in which some of you now live, somebody has to stand up and say enough is enough. Common sense is one of the most valuable things a person can bring to a job…and it seems to be severely lacking here.</p>
<p>I’m guessing there are mids whose families can’t afford cars. Are they going to start seizing the cars of the folks that have them, just to level the playing field? I mean, after all, the kid with the car can drive into town and find a bookstore and do some extra research. That’s not fair, since all of them can’t do that.</p>
<p>C’mon. It’s getting ridiculous and everybody knows it.</p>
<p>JRH: I think the real basic point I was making is alluded to in the post by Seascout - the policy and the effort to try and ban hard drives is coming from RAdm Worley. A lot of what he wants to do I’m supportive of, however there are several ideas that I disagree with. It appears you do too. I assure the parents of the Class of 2013 and anyone else here, when I heard Mr. Weiner’s attitudes and approach to a lot of stuff at the start of last year, I thought three things:
- I applaude his general approach of treating folks like adults.
- I have no idea how he is allowed to allow or tolerate such open behavior of a Federal Government network.
and - When the backlash comes from the inevitable abuse of his good nature and goodwill the pendulum will no doubt swing further and faster then it probably should.</p>
<p>Seriously, all theswe thoughts crossed my mind, in the end while there is a backlash from Weiner as a result from the IA breaches alluded to in his memos statement about ations by members of the Class of 2012, it’s interesting to note that there really isn’t a good reason from an IA perspctive about no external hard drives - which up to this point basically every midshipman I saw had. </p>
<p>It’s not “getting ridiculous” in many perspectives it’s been ridiculous and getting more so…that doesn’t change my thought - one of the things I learned between 1979 and 1982 when I got out of the Academy is that as an indivdual always take responsibility for all your own actions good or bad, as a Ship’s master always take the same for your entire crew… I figure if Mr. Weiner issued this memo and policy it was either at the behest of the Admiral or with his consent.</p>
<p>Here’s my list of policies that I find perplexing and confounding and I say this as someone who most definately is not a “helicopter parent”</p>
<p>1) No external hard drives. (Just so everbody is “on a level playing field”?) We’re suppossed to be training leaders here - don’t we think the sooner they learn that life isn’t “fair” and how to deal with and excel in it based on what they bring to or can bring to the table the better?
2) No/limited contact with visitors after Church Services by PCs until acceptance day.
3) No Mets Game because of budget cutbacks (somehow you really don’t think the $$$ to charter the ~5 buses to get the game could be found or donated?)
4) 0-0-1-3, as someone who is the son of two AAA members, it’s just not going to work in a place and in a professional landscape where folks talk about “drinking like a sailor”…
5) Don’t complain - clearly a guy who has never been to coffee time on a commercial merchant ship, another tried and true professional perogative and talent of “sailors”.
6) More to follow no doubt from what I can see since it appears this “Admiral” (Capt. USN - Retired) seems to i) have come in with a preset agenda on some items and ii) is a ready, fire, aim guy who firmly believes his values and morality is right for 100% of the USMMA Regiment of Midshipmen. Reference the comment about pirated videos and audio tracks and the inability to surviel (synonym for police) external hard drives and their content. If the computer has a good anti-virus software on it, the only reason I can see to “surviel the hard drives” is to police them for banned content. I won’t comment any further on the naivete and/or to use your word stupidity of that since I figure this is the type of stuff that prompted your comment and I’m singing to the choir.</p>
<p>Lest there be any total negative outraged reactions I am not trying to encorouge our future leaders to pirate software and/or copyrighted music or even to have “massive amounts of adult themed materials” on their hard drives - I am only saying that using an excuse of some people can’t afford them isn’t the reason from what I infer - it’s to make it easier for them to enforce policies related to such material and if a mid is going to have that, he/she is going to have it. They’ll put it on CDs or other items, load it on their MP3 players, etc…or numerous other storage media available and permitted with a waiver, etc…</p>
<p>Acata Non Verba…</p>
<p>Fair?!! Level playing field? Wow - what is this, pre-school? I hope you brought enough pieces of candy for everyone…</p>
<p>Despite the statement in the letter that both the current and past administrations have had this philosophy, I can’t think of a single time that this was ever stated or implied under the previous administration. The whole regimental system at KP is built around the fact that life is not fair and some things are the way they are just because that’s the way they are. </p>
<p>What about the upperclass mids who have cars against those who don’t?
What about the barracks that don’t have A/C vs those who do?
What about those mids who fail a class because the professor was more challenging than another one who teaches the same subject and doesn’t fail anyone?
What about the mids who have electric razors vs blades?
What about the mids who are able to afford to have their uniforms cleaned and pressed vs those who have to iron their own?</p>
<p>I could go on and on, but I would be here all day. This is one of the silliest things I have seen from the administration at KP and I have seen a lot over the last few years. </p>
<p>Shielding mids from “real life” is a very, very bad thing and will hurt them and the school more in the long run. Even my HS didn’t submit to this kind of shielding. </p>
<p>Really, I suspect that Worley is less concerned with the mere fact that mids have external HD’s and is more concerned about some of the “material” that most mids (at least the males) use their external HD’s to store and since they apparently can’t scan those remotely…</p>
<p>Furthermore, in my four years there, NEVER did I hear a mid complain that it “wasn’t fair that M/N so-and-so has an external HD and I don’t and that’s why I’m disadvantaged here.” Oh, the horror!!! I guarantee there’s more laughter (is this a joke?) and arm-tossing in the regiment in response to this than applause for the hard fist of justice served.</p>
<p>I try to avoid getting into these sorts of debates because I don’t think, as a parent, it’s my place to get involved. But I have two comments. </p>
<p>First, on the subject of the level playing field. My first reaction to the idea is a bit of sailor slang that isn’t appropriate to a public forum. At the very least, every mid goes to sea in their 3/C year. Last I checked, they get paid. Some manage to come back from sea with money left, some don’t. That’s a choice. If they earn money, they can choose to spend it on computer supplies. So that provides all of them the opportunity to afford an external drive. Seriously, I agree the other points about the silliness of this excuse.</p>
<p>Second, I love jasperdog’s point number 5 - Don’t complain. That’s like asking a KP mid not to breathe. Ain’t gonna happen! LOL</p>
<p>You might find it interesting to know a few months ago a large number of my friends in the Army mentioned they were no longer allowed to use flash drives. They said the office that oversees their computers and their computer use could track anytime an external memory device was used in any computer and any use would result in judical punishment.</p>
<p>So it might actually have something to do with network security. </p>
<p>You might also find it interesting to know that many years ago any type of instant messaging was also banned unless it was an approved secure source which wasn’t found for years.</p>
<p>Again something to do with network security.</p>
<p>As far as the wireless mouse, maybe that just has to do with being disciplined.</p>
<p>Here’s the latest from everyone’s favorite, HDW:</p>
<p>Folks:</p>
<p>Working with the Campus Police and Investigators from the U.S. Department of Transportations Office of the Inspector General (OIG), we have recently completed an investigation of a security breach that came to our attention this past spring term. The implications of this security breach are quite serious, and chief among them is the perception of the OIG investigation team that our midshipmen view computer security, and efforts to comply with federal regulations in this area, as the object of derision. It is quite possible the US DoT CIO will be unwilling to continue supporting a number of the Academys previously approved exceptions to federal security policy, e.g., Skype, public instant messaging services, access to social networking sites, among others.</p>
<p>Heres what happened:</p>
<p>In February and March, our normal surveillance disclosed a small number of (then Plebes) of members from the Class of 2012 replaced the Academys official version of Windows on their laptops with an unapproved version. This permitted the Plebes to circumvent all of the security features and protections of the Federal Desktop Core Configuration (FDCC) mandated by the Presidents Office of Management and Budget. We called in each Plebe involved, provided personal counseling (once again), and restored the official version of Windows on their laptops. One Plebenow resignedused his iPhone to photograph a copy of the administrative password a contract staff member in DoIT had written on paper. The OIG investigators have since discovered the photograph.</p>
<p>This Plebe used the administrative password to start a campaign of unlocking laptops in the Regiment. Most of the activity was restricted to members of the Class of 2012, but there were a few midshipmen from the Classes of 2009 and 2010 involved as well. The administrative password was passed from one midshipman to the next by email. Armed with their illegally obtained administrative rights, some midshipmen installed hacking software, other software, and managed to avoid all of the web access restrictions judged to be necessary by the Superintendent and Commandant. The seminal Plebe also bragged that he had managed to hack into the Academys grading system database. [There is no evidence supporting this claim, yet.]</p>
<p>This particular Plebe went on to organize a group of like minded Plebes at an internet gambling site featuring numerous games of chance, including Poker. The Plebes involved in gambling wagered thousands of dollars among themselves. Needless to say, some won and others lost. Campus Police investigated a rash of thefts in the barracks involving cash and (allegedly legally obtained) prescription drugs. Once the police investigation lead to gambling over the internet our respective investigations converged.</p>
<p>This past week, two special investigators from the OIG interviewed two members of the Class of 2012. What emerged from those interviews is distressing and is likely to appear in the OIGs formal report. The two interviewed report that attempts to circumvent federally mandated security restrictions is wide spread in the Regiment, everyone involved knows this activity is unauthorized, violates Superintendents Instructions, and is illegal. Yet, they engage in these activities nevertheless. Apparently, they view safety in the numbers of those involved.</p>
<p>We have managed to convince the folks at the Department and the Maritime Administration that the Academy merits exceptions from federal regulations and policies, because we give computer security the very serious attention it merits, our students adhere to Academy and federal regulations, and midshipmen are subject to ongoing scrutiny within the Regiment. The two special investigators were presented with evidence this is not the case. Much is now at risk since the current administrationunimpressed with the cybersecurity efforts of the previous administrationis starting a very rigorous campaign for complete compliance with zero tolerance for those who fail to do so.</p>
<p>Security does not belong to me. Its a shared responsibility involving each of you, the administration, and most critically, the Regiment. These young men and women in the Regiment are better students, better observers than most of us are willing to acknowledge. They hear the disparaging remarks some of our colleagues are all too willing to offer (about securityand other topics), and these off-the-cuff remarks become the bedrock of students attitudes. There are all manner of illegal IT products in the barracks that remain in place despite ongoing inspections by midshipmen and company officers. The activities involving the illegally obtained administrative password were widely known within the Regiment.</p>
<p>From those receiving much, much is expected. Here at the Academy, we can believe that our midshipmen should be offered every opportunity, every creature comfort that students elsewhere now regard as an entitlement. Within the Department and the Maritime Administration a different attitude prevails. While there is some dispute on the magnitude of the taxpayers contribution to the cost of an Academy education, the attitude often expressed in Washington, DC is: Compliance with Federal regulations is not an unreasonable price to pay for the many advantages an Academy education offers. Federal regulations prohibit gambling. Federal regulations prohibit the use of government networks for gaining access to adult themed materials. Federal regulations prohibit access to Skype, public instant messaging services, use of USB ports on personal computers, and the use of flash drives.</p>
<p>We may very well have undone the exceptions weve worked hard to win where Skype, public instant messaging services, use of the USB ports (i.e., desktop printers), and flash drives are concerned. Whether or not we can yet convince the Department and the Maritime Administration that we are mindful of security here, that we have every intention of following Federal regulations, much remains to be repaired.</p>
<p>V/r,</p>
<p>HDW | CIO | US Merchant Marine Academy</p>