Under Order 176: Dumb Terminals on Campus Networks Must Not Become Security Blind Spots — How Full-Optical Networks Control Every Connected Device

In enterprise campus networks, security management usually focuses on employee PCs, servers and office Wi-Fi, while overlooking another category of devices: surveillance cameras, access controllers, printers, conference terminals and various IoT devices.

These devices stay online continuously. Some cannot install security clients and rarely receive active maintenance from staff. Once plagued by weak passwords, firmware vulnerabilities, or unauthorized replacement and access, they become weak links in cybersecurity management. Even if firewalls and Wi-Fi real-name authentication are deployed, it does not mean all internal terminals are under effective governance.

MOPS Ministerial Order No.176, Measures for the Supervision and Inspection of Cyberspace Security by Public Security Organs, took effect on October 1, 2026. It lists cybersecurity management systems, retention of user registration and internet access logs, defense against cyberattacks and intrusions, plus remediation of vulnerabilities and hidden risks as key inspection items. For enterprise campuses, apart from managing “who accesses the network”, operators also need to track “what devices connect to the network and what resources they can reach after connection”.

I. Why Campus Dumb Terminals Easily Turn Into Security Blind Zones

1. Large device volume makes continuous tracking of connections difficult

Cameras, access control hardware and printers across campuses are distributed in different floors, machine rooms and production zones, with inconsistent installation timelines. As businesses expand, new devices may remain unregistered, idle ports stay permanently open, and asset ledgers fail to update after hardware replacement.

If network administrators cannot maintain real-time mapping between devices and access ports, abnormal traffic events will make it hard to quickly verify whether a device is authorized and pinpoint the source of threats.

2. Limited endpoint protection means PC management rules cannot be copied directly

Standard office PCs support security software installation, system updates and unified endpoint management. However, many cameras, access controllers and industrial equipment lack such capabilities. Some run fixed operating systems and dedicated protocols with lengthy update cycles, relying heavily on vendors for routine maintenance.

Therefore, enterprises cannot rely solely on endpoint software protection. They must deploy management controls at the network access layer to block unknown devices and limit the scope of resources accessible to connected terminals.

3. Excessive permissions after connection allow risks to spread to other services

Without clear access boundaries separating cameras, access control units, office terminals and business servers, a single compromised device may be abused to probe other network resources.

The core challenge is not merely “whether a device can connect”, but “what it can access after connecting”. Devices with no requirement for internet access shall be restricted from outbound connections per business rules; terminals that only need to communicate with management platforms shall not be granted access to unrelated business resources by default.

II. How AINOPOL Governs Every Device From the Access Layer

1. Build mapping between terminals and network ports

To block unauthorized device access, the first step is to correlate device identity, access location and network permissions.

AINOPOL full-optical network solutions leverage ONU port binding and terminal whitelists to manage access for fixed hardware. Enterprises can register cameras and access control devices to corresponding network ports and business zones. Any device changes trigger timely audits, lowering risks brought by arbitrary connections of unapproved hardware.

For office areas with high staff turnover, identity authentication and access control policies can be configured according to site conditions. For fixed-location dumb terminals, management methods matching device capabilities are adopted. Specific deployment requires evaluation of device compatibility and existing network architecture.

2. Segment business networks and restrict unnecessary inter-terminal communications

Terminal management cannot rely on whitelists alone. Even registered devices should not gain full access to the entire campus network.

Based on business requirements, enterprises can divide office, surveillance, access control, visitor and IoT devices into independent network zones. VLANs, access control lists and firewall policies are used to limit cross-zone communications.

For example, cameras only need to transmit data to designated video management platforms, so their access scope shall be restricted accordingly. Access controllers should only communicate with their dedicated management systems instead of gaining default access to office PCs or other servers. Defining permitted communication targets and services reduces lateral movement opportunities once a terminal is compromised.

It should be noted that network segmentation does not automatically deliver full security isolation. Enterprises still need to check for over-permissive cross-zone policies and verify the effectiveness of access restrictions against actual business traffic.

3. Combine access records with log auditing to speed up troubleshooting

When abnormal connections, failed access attempts or suspected intrusions occur on devices, O&M teams must quickly confirm device location, connection timestamp, communication peers and relevant alerts.

Enterprises can build query and investigation workflows combining network records, address allocation data, authentication logs and security appliance logs. AINOPOL’s network management and O&M capabilities help administrators view device access relationships, monitor network status and locate faults efficiently.

Meanwhile, retain, store and query logs in compliance with applicable laws and internal security requirements. Logs provide investigation clues but cannot replace vulnerability patching, permission adjustment and terminal maintenance.

4. Adopt unified policies and routine inspections to prevent loss of control after remediation

Campus networks keep evolving: new devices go online, old hardware is decommissioned, and business systems adjust access demands. Manual ad-hoc configuration for every change easily causes inconsistent rules, leftover permissions and outdated asset ledgers.

Enterprises can standardize device onboarding, modification and decommissioning workflows through configuration templates, permission grading and periodic inspections. Build audit and remediation mechanisms for unused ports, expired accounts, anomalous communications and unpatched vulnerabilities, ensuring detected risks are fully resolved.

As campus cameras, access sensors and production terminals multiply, network construction must satisfy data transmission, remote access and business expansion needs while simultaneously implementing device admission, network isolation and security O&M.

Relying on the authentication and log synergy of Dream Series Secure Optical Gateways, AINOPOL delivers the native integrated “Communication & Security” solution with full-optical infrastructure as the foundation, audio & video services as the engine, and security as the protective shield. It advocates collaborative planning of communication infrastructure and security requirements. During full-optical network construction or renovation, enterprises can sort out terminal access modes, business segmentation, access permissions and O&M workflows at the same time, avoiding retrofitting security features after the network is built.

After Order 176 takes effect, campus cybersecurity construction should focus not only on staff internet authentication, but also access management, access boundaries and vulnerability remediation for all types of terminals. Although cameras, access controllers and printers lack sophisticated native security defenses, risks can be mitigated through access-side controls, business network isolation, access policies and log auditing.

FAQ

Q: Can public security remote detection identify issues with dumb terminals?
A: Yes. Authorities can remotely scan exposed ports, list online devices and detect terminals retaining default passwords via vulnerability scanning and penetration testing. Online scans will uncover large quantities of unregistered devices, and remote penetration tests will expose weak-password vulnerabilities on dumb terminals. All findings will be reflected in inspection results.

Q: Real-name Wi-Fi authentication is already deployed in office zones. Is separate management still required for dumb terminals?
A: Yes. Wi-Fi real-name authentication verifies human identity, while dumb terminal controls manage device admission. The two cannot substitute for each other. Cameras, printers and access controllers cannot complete real-name authentication like mobile phones, so ONU port binding and MAC whitelists are required for device-level access governance.

Q: How to centrally manage dumb terminals across multi-building, multi-floor campuses?
A: The EAAS cloud management platform can unify optical gateways from different buildings and floors under a single network topology. Headquarters IT staff can log in to view dumb terminal registration status, mapped access ports and log retention data across all zones. Policies are deployed centrally, and alerts are received in a unified dashboard.