MASON-SECURE replaces old GMU wireless network

MASON-SECURE is replacing MASON as GMU's wireless network

Many students are familiar with having to login to UAC wireless whenever they want to access the internet.  MASON-SECURE is George Mason’s newest wireless network, and contains a one-time setup that does not require students to login to the UAC page every time they connect.

David Robertson is the service delivery manager for Network Engineering and Technology at Mason.

“MASON-SECURE is an authentication protocol network,” Robertson said.  “It allows students to login once and have it remember their password.”

According to Robertson, SECURE has about the same connectivity speed as MASON.

“It’s coming through the same equipment, just on a different authentication system,” Robertson said.

MASON-SECURE also provides more protection for a user’s personal information. 

“MASON only provides encryption when you use certain sites,” Robertson said.  “But MASON-SECURE is encrypted from the start. Being encrypted means you’re not sending out data in the clear. If someone is trying to read your conversation with hacking tools, they can’t.”

Unlike MASON, there is a setup process for SECURE.

“On the front end it’s a little slower, because you have to perform the initial setup,” Robertson said.  “But in the long run it’s much faster, because once you’ve got your system configured, you don’t have to go to the UAC pages anymore.”

According to Robertson the setup time varies by device, ranging from a couple of minutes to an hour.

SECURE has been available for over a year now.

“MASON-SECURE came out last May,” Robertson said.  “It was tested early fall and early spring, and was available to students.  But we did not offer support for it until May.”

“We are trying to move more people from MASON to MASON-SECURE,” Robertson said.  “MASON has about 5,000 users today, and about 4,300 users are on MASON-SECURE.  So about 50-50.”

Robertson says there is support available for many different devices.

“It all depends on the provider.  Some of the things we cover are Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone, and all are listed on the website,” said Robertson.  “If anyone has trouble they can contact us.”

The website for MASON-SECURE setup instructions is wireless.gmu.edu/Mason-Secure.