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Security and Science -- Research Under Wraps

© Adam Hughes

If you read, watch, or listen to the news on a regular basis, then you are probably aware that a new breed of criminal is coming to prominence in our society: the information pirate. This situation has become increasingly prevalent, to the point where such fare as the movie War Games is not nearly as far-fetched as we probably believed a decade ago.

As scientists have come to rely more and more on computers to do their jobs, the development of more stringent security measures has emerged as one of their pressing concerns.

The first level of protection commonly employed by scientists who use computers consist of methods which deal with data protection on a local scale. The most basic of these is the use of a password. A password theoretically allows only the owner of an account to access the data contained therein. While they are far from foolproof, passwords at least offer some security and may even serve as a slight deterrent to the more lazy criminal mind.

The next step up from a simple password is the use of some time-dependent passcode. Generally, the computer user will enter a security code into some external device, like a special card, which will in turn deliver a password that is only valid for the current login. Obviously, this scheme is quite a bit more complicated than the use of a static password, and it represents a quantum leap in security.

The second level of security generally involves protecting a network of computers and accounts as one unit. This can be accomplished in several ways. One of the most prevalent in the scientific arena is the use of firewalls. Firewalls are basically electronic constructs that don't allow anyone to remotely access the machines which reside behind it. Firewalls are widely used in academic and government facilities where vital information may be stored on a number of machines. While they offer nice security, researchers often experience many exasperating hours trying to deal with the ramifications, which often include difficulty in reaching resources outside of the firewalls.

A third level of security often encountered in scientific settings is the careful screening of those who have legitimate access to the resources at hand. This security measure can take a number of formats, and the severity of the screening is all over the board. On the Internet, there are a number of "servers" where anyone can get accounts to perform tasks such as e-mail. Universities are generally a little more discriminating, as it's almost always necessary to be a currently-enrolled student or an employee to take advantage of the resources. The far end of the spectrum, or course, is represented by government labs. To even get your name on an account at many of these facilities, you need to have a clearance level of "secret" or better.

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