Computer and network security

In an environment where malicious hackers generate a continuously changing series of threats to networked computers, UCAR's commitment to security is a strategic priority. Avoiding, detecting, and mitigating computer intrusions are standard practice and require alert cooperation from users as well as other computing centers. Cybersecurity is a key part of the international research infrastructure.

UCAR works to balance the competing needs of having an open, collaborative research environment with protecting the security and integrity of research computing and data assets. Two levels of access control provide good security while minimizing processes that can disrupt scientific productivity.

NCAR computing and data resources are protected by one-time passwords. Users obtain a password from an electronic device that is synchronized with a gatekeeper computer. Even if a password is compromised, it doesn't impact the security of the computers inside the firewall because that password can be used only once.

The next layer of security is authentication. This is the challenge for user ID and user password required to log on to any system at NCAR. This is handled by an authentication server.