Access to NDU information systems is predicated on user compliance with DoD/NDU cybersecurity regulations. No student will receive access to any NDU system until the student has accurately, fully and verifiably completed all mandatory DoD/NDU cybersecurity requirements. Completion of these requirements will be tracked in NDU Connect.
Cybersecurity Compliance
Three documents are required for access to the NDU network and technology systems:
1. NDU System Authorization Access Request (SAAR) Form 2875 -- This document will be created and prepopulated for you.
2. NDU Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) -- This document will be created and prepopulated for you.
3. Valid cyber awareness training certificate -- You must provide this document. To be valid, the certificate must be:
- Generated by an official training website or institution.
- Dated no more than nine months before the course start date (e.g., if the course start date is 1 August 2024, then your certificate must be dated on or after 1 November 2023).
- Service, agency, and Joint Knowledge Online (JKO) cyber awareness training courses are acceptable. An acceptable cyber awareness training course is also available to the public at https://public.cyber.mil/training/cyber-awareness-challenge/
The cyber compliance process will be accomplished via DocuSign for Federal Government, a secure government cloud system.
You will be emailed a DocuSign envelope with your prepopulated 2875 and AUP for signature, and you will also be required to attach your cyber training certificate to the DocuSign envelope. When you complete the DocuSign process, the envelope will be routed to other recipients for their signatures on the 2875.
IMPORTANT
You should receive your cyber compliance documents at your preferred email address via DocuSign within 48 hours of completing the Onboarding Wizard.
In DocuSign, you will enter the date of your cyber awareness training and attach the certificate to the DocuSign envelope. The date you enter on the form and the date on the certificate you attach must match.
Please notify your security manager that they will receive the DocuSign envelope at the email address you provided in the wizard. They must complete and sign Part III of the 2875 for the cyber compliance process to proceed.
You will be notified when your NDU technology accounts are created. At that point, your original NDU Connect credentials will be invalid and you will access the NDU Connect Student Portal using single sign-on.
Minimum Computing Requirements for Student Devices
All NDU students are required to have a Windows or MAC laptop. Tablets and Chrome OS are not adequate to complete the coursework required by NDU programs. NDU provides wireless access on campus to enable students to access NDU’s Online Courseware (Blackboard) and productivity applications (Office 365). Students are also required to have Internet access outside of school. All laptops must have a modern web browser, the ability to run web-based applications, and up-to-date antivirus protection.
The use of Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) is not possible. Neither NDU nor students have sufficient rights to configure or connect GFEs to NDU's network or to its online courseware
Although handheld mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, are permissible in the NDU Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) environment, they are not adequate to complete the coursework required by NDU programs
Students must keep their devices updated in order to connect to NDU’s Academic Wireless network. NDU offers technical support for access to the BYOD network and online courseware at our Service Desk, in-depth technical support is not available Warranty, security, insurance, and maintenance is the responsibility of the student.
Multi-factor authentication: To access NDU’s cloud infrastructure, students must have a mobile device capable of running Microsoft’s Authenticator application. Read the specific requirements.
NDU recommends that laptops meet the following minimum specifications:
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Minimum Laptop Specifications
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Platform
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Windows Laptop or Apple Notebook
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Screen Size
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13” or larger
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Processor
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Intel 10th Gen Core i3 and greater, AMD Ryzen 3 1300x and greater, or Apple M1 and greater
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RAM
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8Gb or higher
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Hard drive
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128 GB or higher
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Operating System
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Windows 10 and greater, or macOS 11 and greater
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On Campus Networking:
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Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and greater. NDU highly recommends that students utilize our BYOD wireless network. If your device does not have an ethernet (LAN) adaptor, it is recommended that students acquire a USB network adaptor with a minimum speed of 100mbps (mega bits per second)
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Productivity Tools
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Microsoft Office is available as part of your NDU enrollment for the duration of your coursework. Adobe Acrobat reader, and a modern web browser.
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Virus Protection
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Windows Defender (built in to Windows) or Apple XProtect (built into macOS)
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Smart Card (CAC) Reader
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While not required to access NDU courseware, a Smart Card (CAC) Reader is required to access restricted websites such as the Defense Travel System (DTS).
***JFSC STUDENTS PLEASE NOTE: JCWS US students will need a CAC Reader to access FOUO reference material. Army JCWS students will need a CAC Reader to sign AERs generated at the completion of their training.
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Audio/Video Capability
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Devices must include a built-in or external High Definition (HD) webcam with a minimum resolution of 1280 x 720; a microphone, sound card and speakers (a noise-cancelling headset/microphone combination is recommended); and a video card and monitor (1024 x 768 or greater resolution).
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Internet Connection
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Students must ensure that they have access to a reliable, accessible, off-campus, high-speed internet connection with a recommended upload/download speed of 4 megabytes per second (Mbps) and a minimum of 2 Mbps. This speed is crucial to your timely ability to download reading assignments and upload completed course work. NOTE: The use of satellite, cellular, or public access internet connections may result in slowness or errors when accessing the classroom and course materials.
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Smart Card (CAC) Readers and DoD Certificates
To access CAC-restricted websites such as the Defense Travel Service, military service personnel files, etc., from your personal device, you will need to install a Smart Card (CAC) Reader and DOD Certificates on your computer.
Apple Pro macOS/iOS X 10.13 or Newer
PC Windows 10 or Newer
IT Services Provided by NDU
NDU’s Information Technology Directorate (ITD) provides the following services to 10-month and short course students:
- NDU accounts
- Wi-Fi access, classroom wired access, and wireless printing
- Help with NDU IT environment
- Personal device support is limited account and access issues
Students in 10-month and short course programs receive Blackboard Learning Management System accounts as well as a web-based email account with cloud-based storage for use during their course of study at NDU. Please note that some College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC) eResident and DL students do not receive email/storage accounts.
How to Get IT Help:
IT Tutorials and Additional Guidance
All Devices
Windows/PC Devices
Apple macOS/iOS Devices
For questions about NDU’s technology and computing environment, please contact the ITD Service Desk at 202-685-3824.