Legacy Administrative Systems

Security/ACCESS/CatsWeb

Technology Resources employs standard and custom-written security features to control access to the data and software that comprise its Legacy Administrative Systems (ACCESS and CatsWeb).  Access is provided only through pre-written application menus that specify what software and data the user may access. These administrative (business) applications may be invoked using ACCESS via a character cell terminal or suitable terminal emulator using SSH (Secure Shell – transmitted data is encrypted to assure confidentiality and integrity).  Additionally, an ever increasing number of administrative applications are also available on the world wide web through CatsWeb . For applications that are available via both ACCESS and CatsWeb (example: Inquire Transcripts, Inquire Employment History), a user who is already authorized to invoke an application using ACCESS will also be able to invoke that same application via CatsWeb.

The steps for invoking authorized applications using ACCESS are as follows:

1. User connects to the Legacy Administrative System host computer using a terminal emulator with SSH.
2. User logs in using his/her Texas State NetID and password.
3. User runs a program called SECURE_ACCESS (abbr. ACCESS). ACCESS presents the user with a list of environments (buttons, e.g. REGISTRAR, ADMISSIONS, PHYSICAL PLANT, etc.) to which that user has been granted some level of access. For an environment to appear, access rights to that environment would have previously been granted by the security administrator for the respective environment.
4. User selects an environment. ACCESS transforms the user's authorization information into that associated with a template record maintained for the selected environment. The template record possesses the access permissions that allow access to software and data.  Thus, individual users do not hold these permissions all the time, but must re-acquire them for each session. 
5. ACCESS invokes a program specific to each environment which presents the user with a menu of applications. The user is presented with only the applications he/she has been previously authorized to use while in that environment.
6. User selects desired application.

The steps for invoking authorized applications using CatsWeb are similar, as follows:

1. User invokes a supported browser (typically Internet Explorer or Firefox).
2. User selects CatsWeb from Texas State Home Page.
3. User selects Business Menu from CatsWeb Home Page.
4. User will be asked to "login" using his/her Texas State NetID and password.
5. User will be presented with a list (menu) of applications ordered by environment (office). Typically, a user has access to only one environment (example: Registrar, Academic Department, etc.). The user is presented with only the selections he/she has been previously authorized to use.
6. User selects desired application.

Each user must ensure that no other individual can login using his/her NetID.  User management is responsible for authorizing access to the environments and to the individual applications within those environments. Access permissions to Legacy Administrative Systems are automatically revoked upon termination of employment.  Technology Resources provides reports to security administrators upon request to identify which users have access to which applications. See Texas State UPPS 04.01.01, Security of Texas State Information Resources, for generally applicable security policies and procedures, and see CatsWeb Security for web security information.
 

Security Administration for ACCESS & CatsWeb

In order to gain access to Legacy Administrative Systems, first obtain a Texas State NetID and Password, then contact the appropriate security administrator. The security administrator will be able to instruct you in the steps necessary to gain access to a specific environment. The following is list of environments and their security administrators (list subject to change).
 

Security Administration by Environment