DeVry University Stops Spam with GEE Whiz for NetMail
Overview
As one of the largest degree-granting higher education systems in North America, DeVry University provides high-quality, career-oriented associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in technology, business and management. Approximately 49,000 students are enrolled at its 69 locations in 20 states and Canada, as well as through DeVry University Online. DeVry University is based in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.
The Challenges
As one of the largest DeVry University campuses, our North Brunswick, New Jersey, campus presented a challenge -- students and employees needed 24/7 access to send secure email without disruption in a mixed network environment. Our previous email systems needed to be updated, and SPAM was creating an issue for these servers. To ensure uninterrupted communications for our students, DeVry needed to address these challenges.
Solution
Three years ago, the university had begun to explore options to replace existing email systems. Many products were tested. In June, 2003, we tested Novell’s NetMail and it emerged as the best solution. This was largely due to the product’s ability to integrate directly with existing eDirectory accounts and Novell NetWare servers. We decided to go with NetMail because the product was easy to install and configure, and it provided a good return on our technology investment.
In the end, NetMail was installed and configured in under five minutes. We were immediately able to provide a new email solution to students. With the institution already using EMU (Enterprise User and Import Management Utility) from Omni Technology Solutions Inc., we were able to leverage EMU to bulk create the NetMail accounts and user account modifications. From start to finish, our New Jersey campus was running NetMail live and in production for all of our students, in under thirty minutes.
In today’s Internet Age, most organizations are hampered by SPAM and no email server is exempt. DeVry University’s North Brunswick campus was no exception. NetMail’s native SPAM support gave us the ability to build custom black lists and use Internet RBL servers to slow the amount of SPAM. We used this configuration for about a year until SPAM and virus attacks began increasing. At the time, most organizations were being affected in this way, and we knew we needed to find a more effective solution as the amount of SPAM increased.
Our Findings
The results were outstanding. After six months, we have flagged 58% more SPAM than we could before the installation, and false positives had been reduced to a minimum. Current statistics indicate that GEE for NetMail has given us a 97% accuracy rate. None of this SPAM ever reaches the end user. We are now using GEE Whiz for NetMail 1.4.7. We have become proactive with attachment filtering. Restrictions have been placed on executables, .com, .bat, and other file types. Messages are quarantined, reviewed by IT staff, and released if needed or removed if harmful. The bottom line is that good email always reaches the end user.
Many companies and institutions were negatively affected by the MyDoom virus. Thanks to GEE Whiz, our email scanner rarely saw the virus, as GEE Whiz was able to filter it based on file type and email header content. With a simple filter, virus responses from email servers were gone as well.
The Impact
What does this mean for DeVry North Brunswick?
Students are now using their email more than ever. Valuable storage space can now be used for academic work and communications rather than storage media for junk mail. Faculty members and administrative staff are able to save time without having to sort through unwanted email. All of our time can now be spent concentrating on meeting the needs of our students.
From an administrative perspective, GEE Whiz has allowed one staff member to spend only about 15-20 minutes per day managing SPAM and filtered attachments. GEE Whiz also saves valuable IT time and resources and reduces the need for additional support staff.
For more information about DeVry University, visit www.devry.edu