QUT Wireless Policy
Prepared by: Callum Dodd
Updated by: Peter Arbouin
Section: Infrastructure Services
Last Modified: 27th January 2010
1 INTRODUCTION
The following policy provides guidelines for Wireless Local Area Network
(WLAN) communications using the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum as defined
by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11a and
802.11b (http://www.ieee.org) and Bluetooth standards
(https://www.bluetooth.org/)
2 SCOPE

Applications that connect to the QUT wireless network

Wireless technology and devices that connect to other devices including
the QUT wireless network

The security of the QUT wireless network
3 RELATED DOCUMENTS
The QUT Wireless Policy should be read in conjunction with the following QUT
policies, contained within QUTs Manual of Policies and Procedures (MOPP):

Policy F/1.1 Provision and use of information resources and services

Policy I/2.5 Information Technology Services

Policy F/1.2 Information systems security policy
4 DEFINITIONS

Access Point (AP): refers to a device that acts as a base station for a
wireless network and covers a geographical area

Ad – Hoc Network: refers to peer to peer connection(s) between two or
more devices that do not involve an Access Point
QUT W IRELESS POLICY

Interference: refers to the degradation of wireless communication
caused by electro-magnetic radiation from another source

Wireless Research Networks: refers to wireless networks assisting in the
research of wireless technology, or the delivery of educational material
using wireless technology as a transport medium. Users on these
networks are not capable of accessing any QUT applications and/or
resources.

Highly Protected: QUT has defined the term Highly Protected under the
F/1.2 Information systems security policy in the MOPP (refer to
http://www.mopp.qut.edu.au/F/F_01_02.jsp)
5 GUIDELINES

By accepting this policy users of the QUT wireless network acknowledge
that the wireless network is a potential security risk, that QUT has
investigated this issue, and has developed a network architecture that
balances security and ease of use; the issues of security and useability
are important to QUT.

Wireless networks broadcast information indiscriminately. QUT suggests
that any information that the user considers sensitive, or that QUT
considers to be “Highly Protected”, not be transmitted over the QUT
wireless network

The QUT wireless network has certain limitations over the QUT wired
network. The QUT wireless network should be considered to
complement the QUT wired network by extending its reach and allowing
some mobility. Applications producing high levels of data traffic across
the wireless network may not be appropriate for wireless access as it
may have a detrimental effect on the quality of the network for all users

All Client devices and wireless network devices must conform to the
appropriate Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
regulations (Website: http://www.acma.gov.au/)

All client devices accessing the QUT wireless network must be Wi-Fi
Certified™ (http://www.wi-fi.org)

All client devices accessing the QUT wireless network must support one
or more of the following IEEE Standards:
o
802.11a
o
802.11b
o
802.11g
o
802.11n
Note: There is a preference for client devices to support 802.11n 5 Ghz

Client devices should be capable of connecting to the QUT wireless
network using one of the secure access methods. Information relating to
these can be located at the On Campus Access web page
(http://www.wireless.qut.edu.au)
2
QUT W IRELESS POLICY

QUT will provide documentation on the methodology of connecting to
QUT’s Wireless network for, at a minimum, the operating systems that
QUT supports.

All users must authenticate before gaining access to QUT content and
applications when using the QUT wireless network

Authentication must be encrypted in accordance with encryption
standards deemed acceptable by Information Technology Services
(ITS).

All encrypted methods must be approved by IT Services. These
methods are outlined in the restricted section of the On Campus Access
web page (http://www.wireless.qut.edu.au)

All data transmissions must be encrypted between the client’s device
and the QUT wireless network

The Ad-Hoc feature should be disabled on all client devices and client
cards

With the exception of wireless research activities, the only permitted
wireless access points are those managed by Information Technology
Services. Applications for exemptions must be made to the Director,
Information Technology Services. Applications for exemptions should
include:
o
o
o
o


Name of QUT organisational unit that is applying for the
exemption
Information specifically on the wireless network detailing:
 What the wireless network is attempting to achieve
 What information will be transmitted across the network
 What security will be in place to protect the network
 What will be the coverage area
 What frequency(ies) will be used
What activities will be conducted to avoid interference with the
QUT wireless network
During what period(s) the research network will be activated.
This must include dates and time of day.
QUT may seek disciplinary action against the person(s) responsible in
accordance with the Statutes of the Queensland University of
Technology (MOPP Appendix 1(b)) or the Queensland University of
Technology Information Facilities Rules (MOPP Appendix 1(c)). This is
applicable for the following breaches:
o
Interference, disruption or interception of the QUT wireless
network signals is considered a violation of this policy, except for
diagnostic purposes by IT Services. Any wireless network
device, including Wireless Research Networks, causing service
interruption to any QUT network will be shut down.
o
Non-authorised access points will be considered to be in breach
of QUT’s IF Rules, and QUT may seek disciplinary action
against the person(s) responsible
IT Services will manage and support all authorised wireless networks,
with the exception of Wireless Research Networks
3
QUT W IRELESS POLICY

Any research activities or authorised wireless network not managed by
IT Services must conform to the principles of this policy if the wireless
network is capable of accessing QUT information facilities.

Any conflicts with channel allocation will be resolved by IT Services

Risk assessment is to be conducted in accordance with procedures
listed in the Wireless Networks Procedures document, at intervals not
exceeding 12 months.

QUT campuses may have their radio frequency spectrum scanned at
least once a month, at the discretion of IT Services. The frequencies
scanned will be those defined by the IEEE 802.11a and 802.11b
(http://www.ieee.org) standards. This will be conducted by a
representative of IT Services

This policy will be reviewed as necessary but at least every 2 years
6 MODIFICATION HISTORY
Updated links to acma
Updated link to MOPP
Added support for 802.11n
Removed this as we do not maintain a list of supported clients:

QUT will provide and maintain a recommended list of client devices and
wireless network interface cards that are known to operate successfully
with the QUT wireless network. This information is available on the On
Campus Access web page (http://www.wireless.qut.edu.au)
4