Network Infrastructure Management and Security Practices in Nigerian University Computer Centres

University computing centres in Nigeria manage complex network infrastructures serving thousands of staff and students, yet the management and security practices applied to these networks are rarely benchmarked against professional standards. This study assesses network infrastructure management and security practices at Nigerian university computing centres. A professional assessment instrument based on ISO/IEC 27033 Network Security standards and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework was administered to network managers at 18 university computing centres across the South East, South West, North Central, and North West zones. Supplementary infrastructure walkthroughs at six centres validated self-reported assessment data. Findings indicate significant variation in network infrastructure maturity. VLAN segmentation and network access control are implemented by 55 percent and 33 percent of centres respectively. Intrusion detection systems are deployed at only 22 percent of centres. Software-defined networking is nascent, adopted by fewer than 10 percent. Network documentation and topology mapping is current and complete in only 38 percent of assessed centres. Centres managed by dedicated networking professionals with relevant certifications show significantly higher security control implementation rates. The study proposes a University Network Infrastructure Management Framework covering six management domains with maturity indicators, and recommends the National Information Technology Development Agency adopt it as a minimum standard for university network management in Nigeria.

Keywords: network infrastructure, university computing, Nigeria, network security, infrastructure management