Enterprise Information Technology Services Press Release
The University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

OCIO-> EITS-> Press Releases

Friday, April 21, 2006

WRITER: Sarah Lee, 706/542-0183, slee23@uga.edu
CONTACT: Bert DeSimone, 706/542-5110, bert@uga.edu

Computer Health and Security Fair a success

ATHENS, Ga.— EITS staff from the offices of Information Security and Student Technology Support (STS) hosted the Computer Health and Security Fair in the Tate Center Gallery on Friday, April 14. The fair, designed to provide students with computer security information, anti-virus and anti-spyware installations, updates, checkups, and disinfections, included 7 EITS staff members who addressed student walk-ins for several hours. Just under 30 students received computer help, while several more dropped by to check out the event

"The Computer Health Fair was very useful to me because, as a college student, if my computer doesn't function properly, everything stops," said sophomore Brittaney Carter, who opined that the event might be even more useful if expanded. "I learned a lot of things that will help me to take better care of my computer."

Both Carter and fellow student Joan Clapper agreed that the Health Fair was a positive approach to building education about computer security on campus. "I think the Computer Security Health Fair is a great idea and the IT people helped to reassure us that with some planning and diligence we can do more to protect ourselves from the potential troubles and tribulations of using the Internet," said Clapper.

The fair was organized by Information Security professionals David Romine and Chris Street, Student Technology Support Manager Ben Myers, Client Services professional Anne Claseman and Communications Officer Bert DeSimone. Romine notes that "many of the computer security problems at UGA are due to poorly configured computers and users who are unaware of the security risks they may be taking; by working directly with students, we at the Office of Information Security hope to increase awareness as we are increasing security measures." STS Manager Ben Myers noted that the fair was "a great opportunity for STS to get out there and proactively address student computer security needs instead of waiting for students to call us with problems. I would love for EITS to build off our success and continue to provide this service for students in the future."

But perhaps the best reason for such an event comes from one student, Michael Chance, who attended and called the Fair "helpful and informative...a learning experience."

About EITS
Enterprise Information Technology Services (EITS) is committed to providing information technology resources and services in support of the mission of the University of Georgia as articulated in the overarching strategic plan for the University. Under the leadership of the University's Chief Information Officer, EITS executes its mission via eight core initiatives: strategic planning and governance, instructional technology, research computing, client support, information security, outreach and partnerships, business operations and administrative applications, and infrastructure support. For more information, please visit the EITS Web site: www.eits.uga.edu.