NIU Wi-Fi Network Changes
The Division of Information Technology made changes to the NIU Wi-Fi network in Jan. 2021. The unencrypted ‘NIUGuest’ network will be shut down on July 30 and is being replaced by the new ‘NIUVisitor’ network. Below is the information you need to know to keep your devices connected to NIU’s Wi-Fi network while you are on campus. Why? In this digital era, information and cyber security are essential practices for individuals and institutions. NIU provides multiple methods of Wi-Fi access to students, staff, faculty, and guests and strongly recommends users use the encrypted ‘NIUwireless’ Wi-Fi network, whenever possible. Open unauthenticated Wi-Fi networks are the most vulnerable to intentional abuse, accidental misuse and pose other inherent risks to its users. To reduce these risks for the current implementation of the open and unencrypted ‘NIUguest’ Wi-Fi network, NIU is implementing a registration-based guest Wi-Fi where campus visitors will register before gaining access to the internet. Who is affected and what to do? These improvements are applicable to all students, staff, faculty, and guests who would like to use the Wi-Fi network services provided by NIU.
• All students, staff and faculty are required to connect to the encrypted ‘NIUwireless’ Wi-Fi network using their NIU username and password on their compatible devices such as phones, tablets, and laptops.
• Campus visitors can gain access to the internet by connecting to ‘NIUvisitor’ Wi-Fi network. This network requires users to register and limits access to the network to 5 days from the date of registration.
• Students, staff and faculty with personal devices such as smart TVs, gaming devices and personal assistants that cannot authenticate to the encrypted ‘NIUwireless’ Wi-Fi network can gain access to the unencrypted ‘NIUvisitor’ Wi-Fi network by registering their devices via the MyDevices Portal which be accessed by while connected to the NIU network or VPN.
• For NIU owned and managed devices that cannot connect to the encrypted ‘NIUwireless’ Wi-Fi network, DoIT has created a process to register these devices which will allow access the network by connecting to the unencrypted ‘NIUregistered’ Wi-Fi network. Check the details of this process on DoIT's website. A more detailed explanation of these changes along with the instructions document can be found on DoIT's website. When? These new additions and improvements were put in place on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. The unencrypted ‘NIUGuest’ network will be shut down on July 30 and it is highly recommended to move to the applicable networks as explained above, immediately, so that any issues users might face, can be resolved before the ‘NIUguest’ network is taken down.
Policy Library Update – New Policy and Revisions
One new policy and two policy revisions are open to review and comment for a 30-day period. This provides the NIU community the opportunity to consider and respond to the revised policies before they take effect. The policies are: New policies: - Missing Student Notification Policy.
Revised policies: - Payment Card Merchant Security Policy.
- Animals on Campus.
To submit a comment, go to the policy library website. The revised policies will appear at the center of the screen. Click on “Comment on New/Renew Policies.” You will be able to review the policies and provide your comments. All comments are due by Friday, Aug. 13 and Monday, Aug. 16. If you have any questions, please contact Rebecca Hunt, university policy librarian, at rhunt@niu.edu. | 
