Security Basics mailing list archives
RE: Deny access to copy files
From: Craig Wright <Craig.Wright () bdo com au>
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2008 13:41:24 +1000
This is ok for a single developer, assuming that the developer follows the rules etc and that the host is not really locked down etc. If the developer has access to the Internet on a PC and also access to the VM, then there is nothing on earth that will restrict the ability to send code. Next, if the VM is on a system that the developer is sitting on (generally requiring admin rights) they can bypass the admin controls. This comes back to a hope the developer does the right thing issue. To which I say trust but verify. Next, you want to lock down a development VM host? A host with admin rights usually supplied to the developer. A host with compilers and tools? Please I would ask how do you propose to have a viable development platform (fit for purpose) that is secured and bastionised? Regards, Dr Craig Wright GSE LLM Craig Wright Manager, Risk Advisory Services Direct : +61 2 9286 5497 Craig.Wright () bdo com au +61 417 683 914 BDO Kendalls (NSW-VIC) Pty. Ltd. Level 19, 2 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 GPO BOX 2551 Sydney NSW 2001 Fax +61 2 9993 9497 http://www.bdo.com.au/ The information in this email and any attachments is confidential. If you are not the named addressee you must not read, print, copy, distribute, or use in any way this transmission or any information it contains. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by return email, destroy all copies and delete it from your system. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and not necessarily endorsed by BDO Kendalls. You may not rely on this message as advice unless subsequently confirmed by fax or letter signed by a Partner or Director of BDO Kendalls. It is your responsibility to scan this communication and any files attached for computer viruses and other defects. BDO Kendalls does not accept liability for any loss or damage however caused which may result from this communication or any files attached. A full version of the BDO Kendalls disclaimer, and our Privacy statement, can be found on the BDO Kendalls website at http://www.bdo.com.au/ or by emailing mailto:administrator () bdo com au. BDO Kendalls is a national association of separate partnerships and entities. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. -----Original Message----- From: Yahsodhan Deshpande [mailto:yahsodhan.deshpande () nevisnetworks com] Sent: Tuesday, 3 June 2008 9:55 AM To: Craig Wright; Adam Pal; Ahmed Khalid Cc: focus-ms () securityfocus com; security-basics () lists securityfocus com Subject: RE: Deny access to copy files I think we are missing the point here; the idea of VM was to create a sand box for the developer. He will keep using his own environment; browse the internet using his/her pc/laptop, but all the development work will have to be done under the VM. The VM is in control of the admin, and will have much better chance of having the control within that environment, rather than restricting the user from his normal activities. I am not suggesting using VM as a security device, rather just limiting the management overhead to each individual pc/laptop to a centrally managed VM, with least effect on the end user in his normal activities. As I already mentioned hardening the VM is a task in itself, but once achieved is much more maintainable. Regards, Yashodhan -----Original Message----- From: Craig Wright [mailto:Craig.Wright () bdo com au] Sent: Monday, June 02, 2008 4:21 PM To: Yahsodhan Deshpande; Adam Pal; Ahmed Khalid Cc: focus-ms () securityfocus com; security-basics () lists securityfocus com Subject: RE: Deny access to copy files So add an extra layer of risk? With no gain? Why? VMs are not a security device (as much as people like to believe this). The locking down of the VM is the same process as locking down the host, but now you also have a hypervisor layer to be concerned over. Regards, Dr Craig Wright GSE LLM Craig Wright Manager, Risk Advisory Services Direct : +61 2 9286 5497 Craig.Wright () bdo com au +61 417 683 914 BDO Kendalls (NSW-VIC) Pty. Ltd. Level 19, 2 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 GPO BOX 2551 Sydney NSW 2001 Fax +61 2 9993 9497 http://www.bdo.com.au/ The information in this email and any attachments is confidential. If you are not the named addressee you must not read, print, copy, distribute, or use in any way this transmission or any information it contains. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by return email, destroy all copies and delete it from your system. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and not necessarily endorsed by BDO Kendalls. You may not rely on this message as advice unless subsequently confirmed by fax or letter signed by a Partner or Director of BDO Kendalls. It is your responsibility to scan this communication and any files attached for computer viruses and other defects. BDO Kendalls does not accept liability for any loss or damage however caused which may result from this communication or any files attached. A full version of the BDO Kendalls disclaimer, and our Privacy statement, can be found on the BDO Kendalls website at http://www.bdo.com.au/ or by emailing mailto:administrator () bdo com au. BDO Kendalls is a national association of separate partnerships and entities. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. -----Original Message----- From: listbounce () securityfocus com [mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com] On Behalf Of Yahsodhan Deshpande Sent: Tuesday, 3 June 2008 7:29 AM To: Adam Pal; Ahmed Khalid Cc: focus-ms () securityfocus com; security-basics () lists securityfocus com Subject: RE: Deny access to copy files Hi Ahmed, How about creating a virtual machine (which is hardened enough), and then allow the access to the code only via the virtual machine. Hardening the VM would be a task in itself, but it would solve much of the issues related to USB and mass storage devices. Regards, Yashodhan -----Original Message----- From: listbounce () securityfocus com [mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com] On Behalf Of Adam Pal Sent: Monday, June 02, 2008 1:15 PM To: Ahmed Khalid Cc: focus-ms () securityfocus com; security-basics () lists securityfocus com Subject: Re: Deny access to copy files Hello Ahmed, Sounds more like you try washing your hands without getting wet :) I can hardly imagine, that the programmers should be able to read but not to copy, so if they need to programm they need access to the code. I think its more frustrating for programmers to know that they have to work with "handcuffs". I think the problem lies much deeper : do you trust your programmers? If not, hire another, if yes, no such measurements needed, or better say not more than written agreements about security policy. About blocking web access: As i can remember that one of the core problems of security is that you cannot protect your data efficiently from attackers within the company. I can remember about agreements which contain things like: -not connecting mobile storage devices to the workstation (this can be monitored) -not connecting mobile devices to the internal network (this can also be monitored) -not taking parts of code out of the company (which can also be monitored) Of course, bad-intentioned people will be able to bypass such agreements but i preffer to assume that in your staff are good people only. One more - what about using interfaces for programming? Doing so, every one holds only a small, unusable piece of the "puzzle". -- Best regards, Adam Pal Sunday, June 1, 2008, 8:20:25 PM, you wrote: <==============Original message text=============== AK> I am working for a software house, they are developing a software product AK> and their requirement is to restrict programmers to take the code out of AK> office premises due to company policy. I am trying to configure a windows AK> based machine which denies access to copy files to external storage devices AK> connected to USB. There is an NTFS permission "Read + Execute" I guess this AK> could do the work but is there any other way to do it? AK> They also don't need programmers to take the code with them in their email. AK> I can restrict SMTP and POP ports but when it comes to web based emails I am AK> clueless, How can I restrict web based emails like hotmail, gmail, yahoo AK> there are so many of these and if I somehow manage to block all web based AK> email sites someone can write a script to send emails, if not a script HTTP AK> tunneling would bypass any checks and bounds defined by my proxy/gateway AK> machine. How can I block such thing? AK> Any help would be highly appreciated. AK> Regards, AK> Ahmed Khalid <===========End of original message text===========
Current thread:
- Re: Deny access to copy files, (continued)
- Re: Deny access to copy files Shreyas Zare (Jun 02)
- Re: Deny access to copy files Kim Johnsson (Jun 02)
- RE: Deny access to copy files Jeff Dinger (Jun 02)
- Re: Deny access to copy files Ali, Saqib (Jun 02)
- RE: Deny access to copy files Fielder, Kevin (GE Money) (Jun 02)
- Re: Deny access to copy files Adam Pal (Jun 02)
- RE: Deny access to copy files Yahsodhan Deshpande (Jun 02)
- Re: Deny access to copy files Liam Jewell (Jun 03)
- RE: Deny access to copy files Craig Wright (Jun 03)
- RE: Deny access to copy files Yahsodhan Deshpande (Jun 03)
- RE: Deny access to copy files Craig Wright (Jun 03)
- RE: Deny access to copy files Yahsodhan Deshpande (Jun 03)
- RE: Deny access to copy files Craig Wright (Jun 03)
- RE: Deny access to copy files Yahsodhan Deshpande (Jun 02)
- RE: Deny access to copy files James Finnican (Jun 17)
- Re: Deny access to copy files GSO GSO (Jun 17)
- Re: Deny access to copy files Atif Azim (Jun 19)
- RE: Deny access to copy files Michael P. Carter (Jun 19)