News for and about the Internet2 community

[Todd Sedmak <>]

Ohio, Internet2 Further Efforts to Streamline Online Privacy, Security 
Throughout Ohio’s Public Universities and Community Colleges

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 6, 2011 –- Students and faculty at campuses throughout 
the state may now more easily collaborate with each other and access 
educational resources using a single login issued by their host institutions.

The Ohio Academic Resources Network (OARnet) and Internet2 agreed to a 
standard InCommon participation agreement, which streamlines the process for 
Ohio’s 14 public universities and 23 public community colleges to join 
InCommon. Operated by Internet2, InCommon is a national federation that 
provides for shared management of identity and access to online resources for 
the U.S. research and education communities, which simplifies online privacy 
and security. Researchers, students, faculty and staff can access protected 
or licensed online resources from other member institutions and third-party 
providers while safeguarding individual privacy.

“This agreement is a key component to streamlining privacy and security 
operations at and between our higher education institutions, while 
eliminating inefficiency,” said Chancellor Jim Petro of the Ohio Board of 
Regents. “An existing academic login can become a single, trusted passport to 
education, research, and collaboration opportunities throughout Ohio.”

The agreement was a collaborative effort between OARnet, Owens Community 
College, and the Office of the Ohio Attorney General, in conjunction with 
Internet2.  Because the Ohio Attorney General has approved the agreement, 
colleges and universities also can save the time and legal resources they 
would have spent vetting and negotiating individual contracts.

“Access to federal research systems and collaboration between institutions 
are top priorities for the research community,” added Caroline Whitacre, vice 
president for research, The Ohio State University. “The Federal government 
has already endorsed InCommon as a trusted framework for science and health 
research that is reliable, sustainable, and interoperable. Now, OARnet has 
enabled Ohio institutions to take advantage of the framework’s benefits and 
cost savings as well.”

“We continue to see significant interest and growth in InCommon and the 
privacy and security benefits of our trust services,” said David Lambert, 
president and chief executive officer of Internet2. “This system-wide 
initiative will provide additional cost-effective, resource-sharing 
opportunities for the entire InCommon community and the public universities 
and community colleges in Ohio.”

OARnet provides shared technology services for Ohio’s education, public 
broadcasting, health care and government communities. The organization works 
on behalf of its communities to increase access to affordable broadband 
service, reduce technology costs through aggregate purchasing, and maximize 
shared service opportunities.

The Chief Information Officer advisory board to the Ohio Board of Regents 
categorized identity management as a strategic priority for the state and 
directed OARnet to implement a formal program. By creating a combined 
identity management program, students and faculty will be able to access 
resources at multiple campuses through a single account.

Member institutions should visit www.iamohio.net/incommon for additional 
information, including how to join, or contact OARnet member services for 
assistance.

About OARnet
A member of the Ohio Board of Regents Ohio Technology Consortium, the Ohio 
Academic Resources Network (OARnet) provides technology solutions for Ohio's 
education, public broadcasting, health care and government communities. Since 
1987, OARnet has identified and deployed shared services that reduce costs, 
deliver quality programs, increase productivity and improve customer service. 
Communities voluntarily participate in the OARnet consortium because they 
value these benefits and services. Ultimately, OARnet promotes community and 
economic development by expanding access to affordable technology.

About Internet2
Internet2, whose network is owned by U.S. research universities, is one of 
the worldʼs most advanced networking consortia for global researchers and 
scientists who develop breakthrough Internet technologies and applications, 
and spark tomorrowʼs essential innovations. Internet2 consists of more than 
450 U.S. universities; corporations; government agencies; laboratories; 
higher learning; and other major national, regional and state research and 
education networks; and organizations representing more than 50 countries. 
Internet2 and InCommon are registered trademarks.

About InCommon
InCommon, operated by Internet2, serves the U.S. education and research 
communities, supporting a common framework of trust services and operating 
the InCommon Federation and the community-driven InCommon Certificate 
Service. The InCommon Federation, the U.S. trust federation for research and 
education, enables scalable, trusted collaborations among its community of 
participants. The InCommon Certificate Service offers unlimited security 
certificates to the U.S. higher education community for one fixed annual fee.

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Websites:
www.oar.net
www.internet2.edu
www.incommon.org


Todd Sedmak
Internet2
Communications Manager
202-331-5373