***************************************************** Edupage is a service of EDUCAUSE, a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. *****************************************************
TOP STORIES FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2004 Feds to Allow Release of Student Data with Electronic Signature Studying Cyber Warfare at West Point International Raid Targets Digital Pirates FEDS TO ALLOW RELEASE OF STUDENT DATA WITH ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE The U.S. Department of Education this week said it would allow colleges and universities to release student data and records with an electronic signature rather than requiring a handwritten signature, though the department did not specify which kinds of electronic signatures will be allowed. A future notice from the department is expected to specify requirements for the electronic signatures. Formerly, the department's interpretation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) required handwritten signatures for the release of data. A number of colleges and universities, however, had argued that FERPA allows electronic signatures and had already begun releasing student data without handwritten signatures. Those institutions have not been reprimanded by the department, which proposed the new interpretation of FERPA last summer. Chronicle of Higher Education, 22 April 2004 (sub. req'd) http://chronicle.com/prm/daily/2004/04/2004042205n.htm STUDYING CYBER WARFARE AT WEST POINT Cadets at West Point engage in an annual cyber warfare exercise against a team of would-be hackers from the National Security Agency. The four-day exercise tests students' ability to defend military computer networks against attacks not unlike those launched against corporate networks every day. Certain actions are prohibited in the competition, such as students' using so-called "hackback" techniques to attack the attackers, or the use of zombie machines to launch denial-of-service attacks. Cadets use many of the same applications to defend against the cyber attacks that are used by network administrators in the civilian world. During the exercise, cadets are still required to be in bed at the usual time, though the attackers can stay up all night, taking advantage of network vulnerabilities. CNET, 22 April 2004 http://news.com.com/2100-7355_3-5197492.html INTERNATIONAL RAID TARGETS DIGITAL PIRATES U.S. law enforcement officials this week spearheaded an international search-and-seizure effort to combat digital piracy of music, movies, games, and software. More than 100 search warrants were executed in 12 countries and in 27 U.S. states, leading to the seizure of more than 200 computers. Targeted in the action, called Operation Fastlink, were groups that are the source of much of the pirated material on the Internet. So-called "warez" release groups are often the origination point for illegally copied digital content, which then filters through various distribution networks to P2P networks. The U.S. Department of Justice said one of the computers seized included 65,000 pirated works. No arrests were made, but the investigation reportedly identified more than 100 individuals around the world suspected of being involved. Internet News, 23 April 2004 http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/3344711 ***************************************************** EDUPAGE INFORMATION To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change your settings, visit http://www.educause.edu/pub/edupage/ Or, you can subscribe or unsubscribe by sending e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To SUBSCRIBE, in the body of the message type: SUBSCRIBE Edupage YourFirstName YourLastName To UNSUBSCRIBE, in the body of the message type: SIGNOFF Edupage If you have subscription problems, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For past issues of Edupage or information about translations of Edupage into other languages, visit http://www.educause.edu/pub/edupage/ ***************************************************** OTHER EDUCAUSE PUBLICATIONS EDUCAUSE publishes periodicals, including "EQ" and "EDUCAUSE Review," books, and other materials dealing with the impacts and implications of information technology in higher education. For information on EDUCAUSE publications see http://www.educause.edu/pub/ ***************************************************** CONFERENCES For information on all EDUCAUSE learning and networking opportunities, see http://www.educause.edu/conference/ ***************************************************** COPYRIGHT Edupage copyright (c) 2004, EDUCAUSE
