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BGL Data Confidentiality

The BGL network is an open research network. We cannot guarantee complete security for any data that resides on BGL. It is up to the users to provide the security that they need and to understand that BGL and its networks are open to many users and cannot be protected at a partitioned level.

The basic level of protection that can be provided is unix file level permissions and it is left to the users to do the correct thing with the permissions. For example, the default permissions are group and world readable. Users should change the directories which will hold sensitive data to remove the world readable/writable/executable bits and if they won't need to share data with another user, remove the group as well. If a users needs a group for their project, please send email to support@bgl.mcs.anl.gov and provide a group name (that name must be 8 alpha chars or less) and a list of the usernames of desired members. Users should also ensure that their umasks are set to the proper setting so that newly created files and directories are protected as desired. The default setting is group and world readable, which a user wishing to protect their data from being read by others should not be using. If a user needs help determining the proper umask and setting it up as their default, they should send email to consult@bgl.mcs.anl.gov and someone will help them set up their environment as necessary.

It is up to the user to determine whether they need to encrypt their files while they are on disk. BGL does not have the facilities to provide encrypted filesystems. That means the data has to be encrypted in the user's program before it is written out to disk or the user may choose to run an encryption program over the final files. If the user chooses to wait to run the encryption program over the completed files, they should understand that the data in the files will be vulnerable until that time. If a users wishes to encrypt the data and needs help with this, they should send email to consult@bgl.mcs.anl.gov.

Warning: BGL administrators with root privileges can view all data on the system unless it is encrypted. It is only viewable on certain highly restricted machines and generally speaking, administrators only look at user data when requested to or if there is a suspected problem/security issue. However, it is the responsiblity of the user to encrypt the data if they wish to prevent the admins from viewing it.

BGL Software Use

Proprietary/Licensed Software

All software used on ALCF computers must be appropriately acquired and used according to the appropriate licensing. Possession or use of illegally copied software is prohibited. Likewise, users shall not copy copyrighted software, except as permitted by the owner of the copyright. Currently, the use of export-controlled codes is prohibited.

BGL Data Use

Prohibited Data

The ALCF computer systems are operated as research systems and only contain data related to scientific research and do not contain personally identifiable information (data that falls under the Privacy Act of 1974 5U.S.C. 552a). Use of ALCF resources to store, manipulate, or remotely access any sensitive or national security information is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: classified information, unclassified controlled nuclear information (UCNI), naval nuclear propulsion information (NNPI), the design or development of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons or any weapons of mass destruction. The use of ALCF resources for personal or non-work-related activities is also prohibited.

Export Control

All principal investigators using ALCF resources and ALCF staff members are responsible for knowing whether their project generates any of these prohibited data types or information that falls under Export Control. For questions, contact the BGL support team at support@bgl.mcs.anl.gov.


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