LCFG Client Refactor: Phase Two

December 5, 2013

As the results of Phase One of the LCFG Client refactoring project are now in the beta-testing stage and approaching a roll-out date we have commenced work on Phase Two. The primary aim of this new work is to remove all dependencies on the W3C::SAX Perl modules which have been unmaintained for a very long time. We’re probably the last place in the world still using those modules so it’s definitely time to be moving on to something more modern. The project plan for this new work is available for anyone interested.

As a first step I’ve been prototyping some new XML parsing code based on the popular and well-maintained XML::LibXML module. I’ve also been thinking about ideas for an API for storing/accessing the information regarding components and resources. I’ve put together some useful notes on the LCFG XML profile structure to help me get my head around it all.


Security: Using the human perimeter

December 5, 2013

I recently came across an interesting security blog article on the Dark Reading site – "Using The Human Perimeter To Detect Outside Attacks". This is particularly interesting because, as part of our ongoing efforts to improve the security of our network, earlier this year I developed a new "log cabin" service which allows users to review all their SSH and web authentications. As well as providing a web interface where you can peruse all your login activity for the last few months we also send out terse monthly summaries to everyone by email. These summaries list only the most "interesting" connection sources and help to encourage users to keep checking. I will be speaking about this project at the next FLOSS UK conference which will be held in Brighton in March 2014. The talk is titled "Crowd-Sourcing the Detection of Compromised User Accounts" and it will look at how users can become involved in the whole process of keeping their account secure. I particularly like the term "human perimeter" I might have to borrow that one.