Lab Security Policy

No security system is perfect. There is a tradeoff between security and ease of use and we have tried to find a way to let you do your work in peace. Getting hacked is a big deal. Please be mindful.

Our security policy can be summarized as follows:

 You can only access our cluster via ssh from a secure machine

What is a secure machine you may ask? As of Monday, April 21, our answer is as follows. This will change in the coming months.

• A secure machine is one that we control and can protect, as follows:
  • The two portals are secure.
  • Desktops we control in CCBR 650, 940 and BH 501 are treated as secure. Subject to change.
  • Laptops in the lab are currently treated as secure. Subject to change.
  • No other machine is treated as secure. This includes the Sali cluster, the QB3 shared cluster, and if you connect via a VPN. To access our cluster from these or any other machine we do not treat as secure, you must use the portal system.

• You can only access the portals using an ssh key.
• Use different passwords for your bank, your email, and your cluster access. If one is hacked, the damage is contained.
• If you have an account on a system that is hacked, please a. tell us you were hacked and b. change your password asap if you think it could have been compromised.
• You can only access the clusters from the portals using a password, never an ssh key.
• You can use ssh keys to move around within the cluster, but only if they are secure.
• Ssh keys must be protected at all times and must never be shared with anyone, even family members or labmates.
• Misuse of sshkeys is a very serious matter. Please guard your ssh key access as you would your bank account.

If you have any doubts about appropriate use of ssh keys, please ask a sysadmin.

Security Q&A