Computer security (was Re: Should I furnish computer?)

Subject: Computer security (was Re: Should I furnish computer?)
From: Sandy Harris <sandy -at- storm -dot- ca>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Wed, 06 Jun 2001 12:30:50 -0400

mclm -at- ncode -dot- co -dot- uk wrote:
>
> > Some companies actually restrict remote/home PCs claiming data security
> reasons
> of all data being company property and should not leave company premises.<
>
> I think the abundance of laptops out "on the road" must pose a greater
> challenge to a companies data security/backup policy, compared to a home
> worker.

It is reasonably straightforward to deal with, though. We do know by now how
to build reasonably secure systems. The big problems are getting people to
administer them properly and convincing governments that distributing them
isn't international arms trafficking.

If you're on Windos or a Mac, just install a recent version of PGP. That gives
you encrypted email, encrypted files, and the ability to create IPSEC encrypted
tunnels to the office or wherever. Add Putty, the free SSH client.

On OpenBSD or a Linux distribution from a country with sane laws on cryptography
(Brazil's Conectiva, German Suse, ...) most of those are built in. Download
whatever isn't.

If you're stuck with a US-based distribution (notably Redhat) crippled by their
export laws (exporting strong crypto is legally the same as exporting jet
fighters!), change distributions or start downloading.

For more on the politics of cryptography:
http://www.freeswan.org/freeswan_trees/freeswan-1.9/doc/politics.html

Export law section:
http://www.freeswan.org/freeswan_trees/freeswan-1.9/doc/politics.html#exlaw

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

*** Deva(tm) Tools for Dreamweaver and Deva(tm) Search ***
Build Contents, Indexes, and Search for Web Sites and Help Systems
Available now at http://www.devahelp.com or info -at- devahelp -dot- com

Sponsored by Cub Lea, specialist in low-cost outsourced development
and documentation. Overload and time-sensitive jobs at exceptional
rates. Unique free gifts for all visitors to http://www.cublea.com

---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.


Follow-Ups:

References:
RE: Should I furnish computer?: From: mclm

Previous by Author: Re: Using one FrameMaker chapter in several books
Next by Author: Advocacy writing (was Re: Computer security (was Re: Should I furnish computer?)
Previous by Thread: RE: Should I furnish computer?
Next by Thread: Advocacy writing (was Re: Computer security (was Re: Should I furnish computer?)


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads