Project Charter
Network Diagrams, Telecommunications Room
Access And Practices Project
Project Charter – Network Diagrams, Telecommunications Room Access And
Practices
Introduction
From the 2012 Information Security Architecture Review
Low Priority Observations
17.0 No formalization around updating of network diagrams
Observation
University
network
diagrams are
currently high
level holistic
diagrams
intended to
describe logical
aspects of
specific
segments of the
network.
Implication
Without up to
date network
diagrams, it
may not be
possible (or be
difficult) to
perform an
accurate risk
assessment
and implement
appropriate
security
measures,
There are certain because
network
certain aspects
diagrams that
of the network
are used as
and systems
templates for
may be
different areas / overlooked.
buildings.
However, if
changes are
made to the
network
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Recommendation
Policies and
processes should be
implemented to
ensure network
diagrams are
updated to reflect
the actual state of
the network
whenever changes
occur.
Responsible
Management comments
party and
and action plan
timing
The issues and
responsibilities related to
shared physical access to
campus
telecommunications
rooms, and shared
logical access to network
equipment will be raised
at the Campus Network
Services Committee
(CNSC) and Computing
Also, periodic
Technology and Services
reviews should be
Committee (CTSC). This
performed to ensure will be followed by
these diagrams
meetings with staff
remain accurate.
members with access,
and their managers, to
Finally, review the
review the conditions
number of staff with and terms of access.
physical and logical Access for some staff
access to network
may be discontinued if
equipment, and
no longer needed.
restrict to those who
An online system may be
need access on an
Bruce
Campbell –
Director,
Network
Services
Winter,
2013
Project Charter – Network Diagrams, Telecommunications Room Access And
Practices
configuration,
these changes
are not reflected
in network
diagrams.
ongoing basis.
Ensure those who
retain access are
aware of the
conditions and terms
of access.
developed which
requires staff with
physical and/or logical
access to annually review
the terms and conditions
of access.
Signage within TRs may
be added.
The staffing implications
of maintaining accurate
network diagrams for
over 300 campus
telecommunications
rooms will be
investigated. Automated
network mapping
systems, and systems to
detect topology changes
may be considered as an
alternative to manually
maintained diagrams in
some cases.
Faculty and departmental IT staff may be granted access to non 1-to-1 patched campus
telecommunications rooms (TRs) for the purposes of installation and management of patch cables, per
https://strobe.uwaterloo.ca/~twiki/pub/ISTNS/NetworkServicesResources/AugmentingISTNetworkServi
ces.pdf
Patch cables are not generally documented, and no system is available for their documentation.
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Project Charter – Network Diagrams, Telecommunications Room Access And
Practices
Objectives
The objective of this project is to:


Implement policies and processes to ensure network diagrams are updated to reflect
the actual state of the network whenever changes occur, including periodic review to
ensure these diagrams remain accurate.
Review the number of staff with physical and logical access to network equipment, and
restrict to those who need access on an ongoing basis. Ensure those who retain access
are aware of the conditions and terms of access.
Scope
The scope of this project is implementation of the objectives for equipment and cabling in all campus
telecommunications rooms and all parts of the campus network .
Constraints, Assumptions and Risks

Some network equipment is located in shared purpose rooms, and thus physical access cannot
be restricted.
Dependencies
None.
Budget
None.
Timeline
Project to be completed by Winter 2013.
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Project Charter – Network Diagrams, Telecommunications Room Access And
Practices
Strategy






Discuss issues and responsibilities related to shared physical access to campus
telecommunications rooms, and shared logical access to network equipment, at the
Campus Network Services Committee (CNSC) and Computing Technology and Services
Committee (CTSC).
Meet with staff members with logical and/or physical access, and their managers, to
review the conditions and terms of access. Discontinue access if no longer needed.
Develop and document best practices where applicable.
Develop procedures which require staff with physical and/or logical access to annually
review the terms and conditions of access. Consider automation of procedures where
possible.
Develop procedures to periodically review network diagrams, to ensure they remain
accurate.
Add Signage within TRs:
CAMPUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS ROOM
Equipment or cabling may not be installed, removed
or changed without IST approval.

Investigate staffing implications of maintaining accurate network diagrams for over 300
campus telecommunications rooms. Consider automated network mapping systems,
and systems to detect topology changes, as an alternative to manually maintained
diagrams in some cases.
Resource Roles and Responsibilities
Project Sponsor
Project Leader Steve Bourque
Project Team Dave Walsh, Engineering
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Project Charter – Network Diagrams, Telecommunications Room Access And
Practices
Approval
This charter formally authorizes the Network Diagrams, Telecommunications Room Access And Practices
Project, based on the information outlined in this charter. Should any of this information change
throughout the duration of the project, it shall be discussed by [insert statement according to project’s
governance on where changes are discussed] and documented under [insert statement where project’s
documented changes are recorded].
Approved by:
Approval Date:
This approval was discussed by [insert where this approval was discussed] and documented at [insert
where documentation for approval resides].
Revision History
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