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 IA requirements.

IA Compliance

All NDU students must complete the IA Compliance requirements of their college and/or program and student type: 

• CIC and CISA Non-JPME Masters and Certificate Programs - All US Students 
• JFSC JPME and PE Non-Masters Programs - All US Students
• CIC, CISA, JFSC (JAWS), ES and NWC JPME Masters Programs - US Military Students ONLY 
• CIC, CISA, JFSC (JAWS), ES and NWC JPME Masters Programs - US Civilian Students ONLY
• International Students - All Colleges and Programs

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.

NDU recommends that laptops meet the following minimum specifications:

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.

Pro MacOS X 10.12.6 or Newer

Beginning with MacOS 10.12 (Sierra), Apple has introduced a new API, "Crypto Token Kit," to support Smart Cards (CACs). At this time, however, there is not universal support for this API in many third-party applications such as Outlook, Firefox and others. NDU recommends that users disable Crypto Token Kit, and instead use the older, more compatible "TokenD" software for greater Smart Card (CAC) support in MacOS. 

NDU also recommends the use of a specific Smart Card (CAC) software solution developed for DoD. While other Third-party software exists to enable TokenD support for MacOS, NDU can only provide support DoD-compliant software at this time.

• Read guidance on installing a Smart Card (CAC) Reader and software on your Mac. 
• Read guidance on installing (and removing) a custom NDU DoD Root Certificate Configuration Profile on your Mac.
• Read guidance on enabling CAC support in Firefox for your Mac.

PC Windows 10 or Newer

• Read guidance on installing a Smart Card (CAC) Reader and software on your PC.
• Read guidance on setting MS Outlook 2010 controls for digital signatures and encryption. 

IT Services Provided by NDU

NDU’s Information Technology Directorate (ITD) provides the following services to 10-month and short course students:

• On-campus wireless network access to the internet;
• On-campus printer access via the wireless network; and,
• Technical support for connecting mobile devices to the wireless network/printers.

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.

Students are eligible to obtain a copy of the Microsoft Office Software Suite through the Microsoft Office Home Use Program (MS HUP) for approximately $10.00. For more information about MS HUP, visit http://microsofthup.com. Students who wish to participate in NDU’s MS HUP should contact the ITD Service Desk at 202-685-3824 to obtain registration information.

The DoD antivirus software license agreement with McAfee and Symantec allows active DoD employees and students to utilize the DoD's antivirus software for home use. Home use of DoD antivirus products will not only protect personal PCs, but will also potentially lessen the threat of malicious code being introduced to the workplace and compromising DoD networks. Interested DoD employees and students can use their CACs to download antivirus software via the following URLs. Students who wish to participate in NDU’s antivirus program should contact the ITD Service Desk at 202-685-3824 to obtain NDU's registration code.