University Policies and Procedures Manual (previously Business Policies and Procedures Manual)

UPPM 87.51

For more information contact:
   Information Technology Services

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1.0     Overview and Purpose

1.1      Information Assurance Policies Generally

The purposes of the information assurance policies in UPPM Chapter 87: Information Technology and Security are to:

• Set requirements to ensure the privacy, confidentiality, integrity, and availability of Washington State University (WSU) data;
• Support institutional goals and strategies with appropriate methods for administratively, technically, and operationally protecting data; and
• Define the criteria WSU follows to meet requirements for protecting data, which are determined by Information Owners.

The policies in this chapter comply with Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS 199), which are intended to help organizations achieve a common level of quality and interoperability in information technology (IT) by requiring categorization of systems as low-impact, moderate-impact, or high-impact for the stated security objectives of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. To determine the potential consequence of a loss event, the Federal Information Processing Standards:

• Define WSU Information Owners’ impact categorization rating (Low, Moderate, or High);
• Dictate which security controls are mandatory based upon the categorization level;
• Define the strength, frequency, and formalization of those controls; and
• Influence audit burden and continuous monitoring rigor.

See UPPM 87.01 for definitions, general information, and violations related to this policy, as well as additional information regarding roles and responsibilities.

1.2      Specific Policy Overview and Purpose

Ensuring secure and reliable remote access to WSU systems protects WSU data, facilitates WSU educational, research, and business operations, and is essential to support WSU’s mission. This policy sets forth roles, responsibilities, and requirements for authorizing and managing remote access and ensuring the security of WSU’s network and computer systems, including specific requirements for moderate- and high-impact systems.

2.0    Applicability

This policy applies to all WSU system users who have contact with, or potentially may have contact with, WSU data, applications, and computing resources.

Security control exceptions to policy statements in UPPM Chapter 87 are managed and maintained in accordance with UPPM 87.23.

3.0    Roles and Responsibilities

3.1      Chief Information Officer

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) of WSU, or designee, is responsible for administering this policy and reviewing it on an annual basis.

3.2     Information System Owners

WSU Information System Owners, or their delegates, are responsible and accountable for developing appropriate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for this policy’s implementation. 

3.3     Office of Information Security and Assurance (OISA)

WSU’s Office of Information Security and Assurance (OISA) shall maintain the standard (PDF) associated with this policy and provide guidance for the associated procedures for the implementation of this policy (see examples (PDF)).

Note: While all units are required to adhere to the standard established by OISA (NIST SP 800-53), procedural examples for implementation are optional.

4.0   Requirements

Remote access is managed in accordance with UPPM 87.03 and 87.05.

4.1     General Requirements

Remote access to WSU internal systems must be authorized prior to allowing the connection.

Usage restrictions, configuration and connection requirements, and implementation guidance are required for each type of permitted remote access. 

Remote access to WSU’s network must pass through managed interfaces consisting of boundary protection devices arranged in accordance with an organizational security and privacy architecture and UPPM 87.12.

Cryptographic mechanisms must be used to protect the confidentiality and integrity of remote sessions in accordance with UPPM 87.33.

Employee systems authorized for remote access must be protected in accordance with UPPM 87.10. 

4.2     Moderate- and High-Impact System Requirements

In addition to the above, the following additional requirements apply to moderate- and high-impact systems.

Remote access must be monitored and controlled in accordance with UPPM 87.50.

Remote access must be routed through authorized and managed network access control points.  

• The systems must authorize remote execution of privileged commands and limit remote access to security-relevant information.
• Access restrictions and rationale are to be documented in the system security plan.  

Remote user sessions must be configured to terminate automatically when defined conditions or trigger events occur.  

5.0    Training

See UPPM 87.21 for training requirements related to UPPM Chapter 87.

In addition to the requirements in UPPM 87.21, Information System Owners are responsible for ensuring that users receive appropriate information security and privacy training commensurate with their roles, responsibilities, and authorized access to information systems under the Information System Owner’s authority.

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Revisions:  Feb. 2026 (Rev. 651 – NEW).