RE: Notebook policy (need advice)

["Sipes, Bob" <bob.sipes () eds com>]

Good Afternoon,

        You could connect to the back end systems using VPN over a cellular modem connection (slow, but it works).  
This does not address the sensitive data being recorded, but the preliminary data necessary for the warrant.  Have a 
nice day!

Sincerely,

Bob Sipes


-----Original Message-----
From: listbounce () securityfocus com [mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com] On Behalf Of Patton Roub
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 11:10 AM
To: Eric Furman; c
Subject: RE: Notebook policy (need advice)

What would be your recommendation to the drug enforcement Special Agent who is recording the sensitive data outside the 
house of a suspect, and then using that data to create a search warrant on that computer to present to a Judge down the 
street?  Oh, did I mention the data he must have downloaded earlier to make sure he is looking for the right guy?  
Wireless is not available, and we don't want Special Agents climbing poles.

Never ever say never.

Regards

Patton J Roub


-----Original Message-----
From: listbounce () securityfocus com [mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com] On Behalf Of Eric Furman
Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2007 2:09 PM
To: security-basics () lists securityfocus com
Subject: RE: Notebook policy (need advice)

I'll give you one very simple policy that you should enforce that will make most of your concerns moot:

NEVER EVER EVER STORE SENSITIVE DATA ON A LAPTOP!

Anybody, and I mean ANYBODY, found with sensitive data on their laptop should have it seized and they should be 
immediately dismissed.

There is virtually no reason to ever store sensitive data on a laptop.
Sensitive data should only ever reside on hardened servers in a physically secured server room. If your employees need 
to work with this data there are several means to securely access this data remotely.

(And, indeed, make sure the room AND its data storage is truly secure. There have been recent break-ins at certain 
companies and data tapes containing sensitive data were stolen.)

On Wed, 24 Jan 2007 22:50:47 -0500, "Tony UcedaVélez"
<tonyuv () versprite com> said:
> Definitely agree with the previously made comments on the use of full 
> disk encryption and points made on AV, however, I wanted to simply add 
> to those points by saying that the issuance of notebooks should be 
> focused on those user groups that would most benefit from a portable 
> computing device.
>
> Not all positions within a company require the use of a notebook for 
> work (although, in the near future this may very well change).  
> Obviously, the portability of laptops could be recommended to be 
> reserved for those who travel/ telecommute or use it for working 
> sessions in company war rooms (developers, project managers come to 
> mind).  Point here is that the scope and applicability of any security 
> policy could achieve a more targeted audience, versus a broad unknown 
> audience who truly don't benefit by having a notebook.
>
> This recommendation is obviously touch to act upon in organization's 
> where notebooks have already been issued without specific 
> consideration to the job function.  However, if possible the added 
> value in the above mentioned is the following:
>
> 1. IT Operations adheres to imaging and providing laptops to those 
> whose roles and responsibilities require the use of a notebook.  Often 
> times, IT Ops groups elect to image a resource that is readily 
> available or one in which the user prefers.
> 2. Again, a policy surrounding notebook usage will be geared to a 
> specific audience instead of rolling out a policy to everyone, 
> regardless of whether they have a notebook or not. Improved 
> accountability, focused security CBT modules (related to mobile 
> computing) are some positive by-products that result.
> 3. Cost savings can be multi-fold here.  Since roles and 
> responsibilities will dictate who gets a notebook, cost savings are 
> realized not only on the price per notebook, but also the costs 
> associated with software licenses that are specific to portable information assets.
>
> Again, this suggestive advice obviously depends on the 'mobile' 
> culture of your company's workforce.  Also affecting the above is 
> whether you'll be able to 'backtrack' to make such a recommendation.
>
> Regarding local admin use, again, I would revert to what the roles and 
> responsibilities are for the employees and creating various images 
> that coincide with their respective user groups/ types.  Ideally, a 
> collaborative effort between HR and IT Security should make this work.
>
> Btw, along with AV and FDE, I'd include in the policy the use of 
> personal firewalls and HIPS agents, especially for the road warriors 
> of your organization.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Tony UcedaVélez, CISA, GIAC
> VerSprite, LLC
> (office) 678.938.3434
> (email) tonyuv () versprite com
> (web)   www.versprite.com
>  
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: listbounce () securityfocus com 
> [mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com]
> On Behalf Of Nicolas Arias
> Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 8:12 AM
> To: security-basics () lists securityfocus com
> Subject: Notebook policy (need advice)
>
>
> Hi guys!, in my company we have a lot of notebooks, but theres no 
> formal security policy about them.
>
> Can you tell me how do you handle this?
>
> Do you give an local admin for the owner?, do you use full disk 
> encryption?, what about anti-virus and external scans?
>
> Any idea is going to be really preciated.
>
> Cheers!!