Information is not particularly useful if you can't get to it. Availability is an often overlooked, but important part of the security equation. Computers and computer components can and do fail for many assorted reasons. Without proper planning, an organization without computers generally closes up shop and declares a holiday for employees and a nightmare for customers. With proper planning and backup procedures, organizations can continue to do business in the face of computer disasters.
Information can still flow, although sometimes through alternate channels.
Pitt's mainframe computers are protected by a complementary array of physical, administrative and technical controls. Accounts and specific data access are managed through the normal bureaucracy of forms and approvals. There are specific programs that authenticate users, control data access and help administrators figure out who is doing what in the system. Application developers consider legal, ethical and privacy issues when designing new programs and databases. Rest assured your mainframe information is in good hands.