Re: [ccp4bb] Computer encryption matters
John, Since so many people have said it's flawless, I'd like to point out this is not always the case. The particular version of the particular package that we have installs some system libraries that caused a program I use on a moderately frequent basis to crash every time I tried to open a file on a network drive. It took me about 9 months to figure out what the cause was, during which time I had to manually copy things to the local drive before I could open them in that particular program. The vendor of the encryption software has a newer version but our IT department is using an older version. There is another workaround but it's kind of a hack. So I'd say problems are very rare, but if you run into strange behavior, don't rule out encryption as a possible cause. -Eric On Aug 17, 2011, at 3:13 PM, Jrh wrote: > Dear Colleagues, > My institution is introducing concerted measures for improved security via > encryption of files. A laudable plan in case of loss or theft of a computer > with official files eg exams or student records type of information stored on > it. > > Files, folders or a whole disk drive can be encrypted. Whilst I can target > specific files, this could get messy and time consuming to target them and > keep track of new to-be-encrypted files. It is tempting therefore to agree to > complete encryption. However, as my laptop is my calculations' workbench, as > well as office tasks, I am concerned that unexpected runtime errors may occur > from encryption and there may be difficulties of transferability of data > files to colleagues and students, and to eg PDB. > > Does anyone have experience of encryption? Are my anxieties misplaced? If > not, will I need to plan to separate office files, which could then all be > encrypted, from crystallographic data files/calculations, which could be left > unencrypted. If separate treatment is the best plan does one need two > computers once more, rather than the one laptop? A different solution would > be to try to insist on an institutional repository keeping such files. > > In anticipation, > Thankyou, > John > Prof John R Helliwell DSc
Re: [ccp4bb] Computer encryption matters
-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 Or a USB-stick with the key, but in this case don't get your laptop being stolen with the USB-stick near-by ;-) Tim On 08/18/2011 03:26 AM, Francois Berenger wrote: > [...] > Another minor drawback is that you will possibly need a password to boot > your machine (on Linux at least). > > Regards, > F. > - -- - -- Dr Tim Gruene Institut fuer anorganische Chemie Tammannstr. 4 D-37077 Goettingen GPG Key ID = A46BEE1A -BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE- Version: GnuPG v1.4.10 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org/ iD8DBQFOTL5QUxlJ7aRr7hoRAgXnAKCm5JhkvIGPRI72u1iX7sRhofw41QCgk0hq eJtkVY5wmMV1BIBSUoV7dNM= =Hfnz -END PGP SIGNATURE-
Re: [ccp4bb] Computer encryption matters
-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 Dear John, encrypted disks are completely transparent once the system is up and running. The only issue will be a slow-down for disk I/O intense operations, e.g. copying a large amount of data takes noticably longer on an encrypted disk - but not too much longer, especially with a fast machine. You might want to keep a separate local partition e.g. for data parallel integration (XDS). Other than that your worries are indeed completely misplaced since as user you only see and notice the unencrypted files and when you send data to colleagues, you send them unencrypted. Cheers, Tim On 08/17/2011 09:13 PM, Jrh wrote: > Dear Colleagues, > My institution is introducing concerted measures for improved security via > encryption of files. A laudable plan in case of loss or theft of a computer > with official files eg exams or student records type of information stored on > it. > > Files, folders or a whole disk drive can be encrypted. Whilst I can target > specific files, this could get messy and time consuming to target them and > keep track of new to-be-encrypted files. It is tempting therefore to agree to > complete encryption. However, as my laptop is my calculations' workbench, as > well as office tasks, I am concerned that unexpected runtime errors may occur > from encryption and there may be difficulties of transferability of data > files to colleagues and students, and to eg PDB. > > Does anyone have experience of encryption? Are my anxieties misplaced? If > not, will I need to plan to separate office files, which could then all be > encrypted, from crystallographic data files/calculations, which could be left > unencrypted. If separate treatment is the best plan does one need two > computers once more, rather than the one laptop? A different solution would > be to try to insist on an institutional repository keeping such files. > > In anticipation, > Thankyou, > John > Prof John R Helliwell DSc > - -- - -- Dr Tim Gruene Institut fuer anorganische Chemie Tammannstr. 4 D-37077 Goettingen GPG Key ID = A46BEE1A -BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE- Version: GnuPG v1.4.10 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org/ iD8DBQFOTL2ZUxlJ7aRr7hoRAifHAKDrHShwwtDdC3ANKzdlT7DuQ/tN9wCeJM/x mwWNdk4dxGKW7OjymMgT3+c= =bISG -END PGP SIGNATURE-
Re: [ccp4bb] Computer encryption matters
On 08/18/2011 04:13 AM, Jrh wrote: Dear Colleagues, My institution is introducing concerted measures for improved security via encryption of files. A laudable plan in case of loss or theft of a computer with official files eg exams or student records type of information stored on it. Files, folders or a whole disk drive can be encrypted. Whilst I can target specific files, this could get messy and time consuming to target them and keep track of new to-be-encrypted files. It is tempting therefore to agree to complete encryption. However, as my laptop is my calculations' workbench, as well as office tasks, I am concerned that unexpected runtime errors may occur from encryption and there may be difficulties of transferability of data files to colleagues and students, and to eg PDB. Hello, Whole disk encryption is wise in case the machine is stolen. On Linux and Macs (I don't know other platforms) this is transparent and I don't see how it could trigger some runtime errors (once the computer is booted: the files are seen unencrypted by the operating system). The only concern may be that for some really I/O demanding applications (like video editing), this may slow down the video processing task. However, with decent hardware and file system, this may be just an old concern which crystallographers really don't need to care about. Another minor drawback is that you will possibly need a password to boot your machine (on Linux at least). Regards, F. Does anyone have experience of encryption? Are my anxieties misplaced? If not, will I need to plan to separate office files, which could then all be encrypted, from crystallographic data files/calculations, which could be left unencrypted. If separate treatment is the best plan does one need two computers once more, rather than the one laptop? A different solution would be to try to insist on an institutional repository keeping such files. In anticipation, Thankyou, John Prof John R Helliwell DSc
Re: [ccp4bb] Computer encryption matters
We have no problem with encryption on Windows 7 here at NIH - Original Message - From: Harry To: CCP4BB@JISCMAIL.AC.UK Sent: Wed Aug 17 18:23:21 2011 Subject: Re: [ccp4bb] Computer encryption matters Hi John My Mac laptop has been encrypted according to MRC rules for several years and has caused no problems. Windows or Linux may behave differently, but I have no reason to think they might (until a ccp4bber tells me differently)! On 17 Aug 2011, at 20:13, Jrh wrote: > Dear Colleagues, > My institution is introducing concerted measures for improved > security via encryption of files. A laudable plan in case of loss or > theft of a computer with official files eg exams or student records > type of information stored on it. > > Files, folders or a whole disk drive can be encrypted. Whilst I can > target specific files, this could get messy and time consuming to > target them and keep track of new to-be-encrypted files. It is > tempting therefore to agree to complete encryption. However, as my > laptop is my calculations' workbench, as well as office tasks, I am > concerned that unexpected runtime errors may occur from encryption > and there may be difficulties of transferability of data files to > colleagues and students, and to eg PDB. > > Does anyone have experience of encryption? Are my anxieties > misplaced? If not, will I need to plan to separate office files, > which could then all be encrypted, from crystallographic data files/ > calculations, which could be left unencrypted. If separate treatment > is the best plan does one need two computers once more, rather than > the one laptop? A different solution would be to try to insist on an > institutional repository keeping such files. > > In anticipation, > Thankyou, > John > Prof John R Helliwell DSc Harry -- Dr Harry Powell, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, MRC Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QH
Re: [ccp4bb] Computer encryption matters
Upon release of the newest MBA's from Apple there was this test on Ars http://arstechnica.com/apple/reviews/2011/08/thunder-in-the-air-ars-reviews-the-mid-2011-macbook-air.ars/3 So if you are concerned in terms of speed I would say don't worry. However never forget your password. Jürgen P.S. the above suggestion will not help you much if you are a non-Mac User On Aug 17, 2011, at 6:23 PM, Harry wrote: Hi John My Mac laptop has been encrypted according to MRC rules for several years and has caused no problems. Windows or Linux may behave differently, but I have no reason to think they might (until a ccp4bber tells me differently)! On 17 Aug 2011, at 20:13, Jrh wrote: Dear Colleagues, My institution is introducing concerted measures for improved security via encryption of files. A laudable plan in case of loss or theft of a computer with official files eg exams or student records type of information stored on it. Files, folders or a whole disk drive can be encrypted. Whilst I can target specific files, this could get messy and time consuming to target them and keep track of new to-be-encrypted files. It is tempting therefore to agree to complete encryption. However, as my laptop is my calculations' workbench, as well as office tasks, I am concerned that unexpected runtime errors may occur from encryption and there may be difficulties of transferability of data files to colleagues and students, and to eg PDB. Does anyone have experience of encryption? Are my anxieties misplaced? If not, will I need to plan to separate office files, which could then all be encrypted, from crystallographic data files/ calculations, which could be left unencrypted. If separate treatment is the best plan does one need two computers once more, rather than the one laptop? A different solution would be to try to insist on an institutional repository keeping such files. In anticipation, Thankyou, John Prof John R Helliwell DSc Harry -- Dr Harry Powell, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, MRC Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QH .. Jürgen Bosch Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute 615 North Wolfe Street, W8708 Baltimore, MD 21205 Phone: +1-410-614-4742 Lab: +1-410-614-4894 Fax: +1-410-955-3655 http://web.mac.com/bosch_lab/
Re: [ccp4bb] Computer encryption matters
Hi John My Mac laptop has been encrypted according to MRC rules for several years and has caused no problems. Windows or Linux may behave differently, but I have no reason to think they might (until a ccp4bber tells me differently)! On 17 Aug 2011, at 20:13, Jrh wrote: Dear Colleagues, My institution is introducing concerted measures for improved security via encryption of files. A laudable plan in case of loss or theft of a computer with official files eg exams or student records type of information stored on it. Files, folders or a whole disk drive can be encrypted. Whilst I can target specific files, this could get messy and time consuming to target them and keep track of new to-be-encrypted files. It is tempting therefore to agree to complete encryption. However, as my laptop is my calculations' workbench, as well as office tasks, I am concerned that unexpected runtime errors may occur from encryption and there may be difficulties of transferability of data files to colleagues and students, and to eg PDB. Does anyone have experience of encryption? Are my anxieties misplaced? If not, will I need to plan to separate office files, which could then all be encrypted, from crystallographic data files/ calculations, which could be left unencrypted. If separate treatment is the best plan does one need two computers once more, rather than the one laptop? A different solution would be to try to insist on an institutional repository keeping such files. In anticipation, Thankyou, John Prof John R Helliwell DSc Harry -- Dr Harry Powell, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, MRC Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QH
Re: [ccp4bb] Computer encryption matters
Hi, HIPAA and other regulations require systems which house patient identifiable data to have encrypted disks at our uni. Systems which house student data (e.g. SSN #'s, grades, etc) are also encrypted. Since we are doing mostly basic research or using de-identified data in structural biology, we are not required to encrypt our workstations and servers, which improves system performance, and is a big load off my shoulders! On Wed, Aug 17, 2011 at 2:13 PM, Jrh wrote: > Dear Colleagues, > My institution is introducing concerted measures for improved security via > encryption of files. A laudable plan in case of loss or theft of a computer > with official files eg exams or student records type of information stored on > it. > > Files, folders or a whole disk drive can be encrypted. Whilst I can target > specific files, this could get messy and time consuming to target them and > keep track of new to-be-encrypted files. It is tempting therefore to agree to > complete encryption. However, as my laptop is my calculations' workbench, as > well as office tasks, I am concerned that unexpected runtime errors may occur > from encryption and there may be difficulties of transferability of data > files to colleagues and students, and to eg PDB. Transferring data between encrypted and non-encrypted systems is seamless. Most of these applications encrypt your disk and optionally usb drives. Some require a password for boot or contact a centralized key server to get the keys required for decryption so that the system can boot. Our uni has a site license for Checkpoint's encryption app, but I've used truecrypt and they all allow transferring data between encrypted and non-encrypted systems without issues. HTH, Sabuj > > Does anyone have experience of encryption? Are my anxieties misplaced? If > not, will I need to plan to separate office files, which could then all be > encrypted, from crystallographic data files/calculations, which could be left > unencrypted. If separate treatment is the best plan does one need two > computers once more, rather than the one laptop? A different solution would > be to try to insist on an institutional repository keeping such files. > > In anticipation, > Thankyou, > John > Prof John R Helliwell DSc >
[ccp4bb] Computer encryption matters
Dear Colleagues, My institution is introducing concerted measures for improved security via encryption of files. A laudable plan in case of loss or theft of a computer with official files eg exams or student records type of information stored on it. Files, folders or a whole disk drive can be encrypted. Whilst I can target specific files, this could get messy and time consuming to target them and keep track of new to-be-encrypted files. It is tempting therefore to agree to complete encryption. However, as my laptop is my calculations' workbench, as well as office tasks, I am concerned that unexpected runtime errors may occur from encryption and there may be difficulties of transferability of data files to colleagues and students, and to eg PDB. Does anyone have experience of encryption? Are my anxieties misplaced? If not, will I need to plan to separate office files, which could then all be encrypted, from crystallographic data files/calculations, which could be left unencrypted. If separate treatment is the best plan does one need two computers once more, rather than the one laptop? A different solution would be to try to insist on an institutional repository keeping such files. In anticipation, Thankyou, John Prof John R Helliwell DSc
