When there is a problem, however, "the experts" are called in. "They talk to us [HASCS] or University Information Services [UIS] when there is a problem," Steen said.

Departmental systems are not the only ones at risk. Students also have systems in their own rooms, which have been broken into in the past, and HASCS helped out in those instances.

The challenge is maintaining security without preventing access, Steen explained. Harvard does not have a 'firewall' protecting its system, a technology that would restrict any computers outside of the system, because this would harm the usefulness of the system. Most universities do not use firewalls for the same reason--to maximize access and usefulness.

Moreover, hackers often view firewalls as a challenge that they sometimes succeed in overcoming; methods for crossing firewalls are even available on the Internet.

For that reason, Harvard secures its network in different ways. Steen declined to detail these methods, though he did note that they are constantly changing.

"A cycle of new technology followed by new tricks by hackers necessitates constant monitoring of the system," he said. "Security is diligence and knowledge on part of HASCS." Thus, while there are continual attempts to break in, there are systems in place to stop it.

Harvard has not had any serious problems with break-ins on the central systems because of "protections in place," said Steen, who declined to go into detail for security reasons.

Departments or students with security concerns can e-mail security@fas.harvard.edu for help.