What is an Access and Security Reprsentative (ASR)?

The Access and Security Representative (ASR) is the liason between the College of Engineering and the Security Office of the Office of Administrative Systems (OAS). The ASR facilitates access for College personnel to OAS systems and data by examining access requests to determine if such requests are complete, accurate and adhere to University computing and security policies.

University policy ADG01 - Glossary of Computerized Data and System Terminology defines ASR as "is an individual, usually an administrator of a major University office (e.g., college or campus) or designee, who coordinates requests from administrators, faculty and staff within the unit for access to: University information systems; specific production capabilities; computerized institutional data; and system development, processing and communications tools."

Whenever a person requires access to an OAS system they typically contact the ASR for their unit to determine which form(s) to submit in order to acquire the program(s) and/or data they require. The ASR provides the form(s) and helps the user complete the form(s) if necessary. The user completes the required form(s), signing and dating the form(s), and submits the form(s) to the ASR for signature. Some forms require the signature of a budget administrator as well. In this case, the ASR must acquire the Budget administrator's signature prior to forwarding the form(s) to the OAS Security Office.

You may be curious as to what happens to these forms after they are submitted to the OAS Security Office. If the request is for a new user, a User-ID must be created and assigned. In this case, the OAS Security Office must request the Center for Academic Computing (CAC) Accounts Office to assign a User-ID. If the request is for an Integrated Student Information System (ISIS) or Integrated Business Information System (IBIS) screen, the request is routed to one or more data stewards who approve/disapprove the request and establish security parameters. Data stewards are responsible for the accuracy and security of data elements that comprise the University's operational computing systems. After the security office has recieved the decision of the data steward(s) and the applicable security parameters have been established, the user is granted access to the requested screens and the ASR who processed the request is notified. The ASR then notifies the initiator of the request as to the status of their request.

This process can be complicated at times. Some requests deal with sensitive data and involve more than one data steward. Some of the interaction between the security office and data steward is accomplished via campus mail, so it can take several days at the very least for a user to acquire access to an IBIS or ISIS screen.

When do I need the services of the ASR?

Whenever a person requires access to an OAS system such as IBIS or ISIS, they typically contact the ASR for their unit to determine which form(s) to submit in order to acquire the program(s) and/or data they require. The ASR provides the form(s) and helps the user complete the form(s) if necessary. The user completes the required form(s), signing and dating the form(s), and submits the form(s) to the ASR for signature. Some forms require the signature of a budget administrator as well. In this case, the ASR must acquire the Budget administrator's signature prior to forwarding the form(s) to the OAS Security Office.

You may be curious as to what happens to these forms after they are submitted to the OAS Security Office. If the request is for a new user, a User-ID must be created and assigned. In this case, the OAS Security Office must request the Center for Academic Computing (CAC) Accounts Office to assign a User-ID. If the request is for an Integrated Student Information System (ISIS) or Integrated Business Information System (IBIS) screen, the request is routed to one or more data stewards who approve/disapprove the request and establish security parameters. Data stewards are responsible for the accuracy and security of data elements that comprise the University's operational computing systems. After the security office has recieved the decision of the data steward(s) and the applicable security parameters have been established, the user is granted access to the requested screens and the ASR who processed the request is notified. The ASR then notifies the initiator of the request as to the status of their request.

This process can be complicated at times. Some requests deal with sensitive data and involve more than one data steward. Some of the interaction between the security office and data steward is accomplished via campus mail, so it can take several days at the very least for a user to acquire access to an IBIS or ISIS screen.

Auxillary Accounting requests are handled by the College's Financial Officer (currently John Shawver).

Who is the ASR for the College of Engineering?

Walt Beatty, Director of Information Systems is the current ASR for the College of Engineering. If you have any questions you can reach Walt at WJBDO@ENGR.PSU.EDU or 863-0411.