End node problem
Theend node problemarises when individual computers are used for sensitive work and/or temporarily become part of a trusted, well-managed network/cloud and then are used for more risky activities and/or join untrusted networks. (Individual computers on the periphery of networks/clouds are called end nodes.) End nodes often are not managed to the trusted network‘s highcomputer securitystandards.[1]End nodes often have weak/outdated software, weak security tools, excessive permissions, mis-configurations, questionable content and apps, and covert exploitations.[2]Cross contamination and unauthorized release of data from within a computer system becomes the problem.
Within the vast cyber-ecosystem, these end nodes often attach transiently to one or more clouds/networks, some trustworthy and others not. A few examples: a corporate desktop browsing the Internet, a corporate laptop checking company webmail via a coffee shop's openWi-Fiaccess point, a personal computer used to telecommute during the day and gaming at night, or app within a smartphone/tablet (or any of the previous use/device combinations). Even if fully updated and tightly locked down, these nodes may ferry malware from one network (e.g. a corrupted webpage or an infected email message) into another, sensitive network. Likewise, the end nodes may exfiltrate sensitive data (e.g.log keystrokesorscreen-capture). Assuming the device is fully trustworthy, the end node must provide the means to properlyauthenticatethe user. Other nodes may impersonate trusted computers, thus requiringdevice authentication.The device and user may be trusted but within an untrustworthy environment (as determined by inboard sensors' feedback). Collectively, these risks are called the end node problem. There are several remedies but all require instilling trust in the end node and conveying that trust to the network/cloud.
The cloud’s weakest link
[edit]Cloud computingmay be characterized as a vast, seemingly endless, array of processing and storage that one can rent from his or her computer. Recent media attention[when?]has focused on the security within the cloud.[3]Many believe the real risk does not lie within a well monitored, 24-7-365 managed, full redundancy cloud host but in the many questionable computers that access the cloud.[4][5]Many such clouds areFISMA-certified whereas the end nodes connecting to them rarely are configured to any standard.[citation needed]
Ever growing risk
[edit]From 2005 to 2009, the greatest and growing threats to personal and corporate data derived from exploits of users' personal computers. Organized cyber-criminals have found it more profitable to internally exploit the many weak personal and work computers than to attack through heavily fortified perimeters.[6]One common example is stealing small business's online banking account access.[7]
Solutions
[edit]To eliminate the end node problem, only allow authenticated users on trusted remote computers in safe environments to connect to your network/cloud. There are many ways to accomplish this with existing technology, each with different levels of trust.
Many companies issue typical laptops and only allow those specific computers to remotely connect. For example, the US Department of Defense only allows its remote computers to connect viaVPNto its network (no direct Internet browsing) and usestwo-factor authentication.[8]Some organizations use server-side tools to scan and/or validate the end node's computer[citation needed],such as communicating with the node'sTrusted Platform Module(TPM).
A far higher level of trust can be obtained by issuing animmutable, tamper-resistant client[permanent dead link]with no local storage, allowing it to connect only after device and user authentication, remotely providing the OS and software (viaPXEorEtherboot), and then only providing remote desktop or browser access to sensitive data.
A less expensive approach is to trust any hardware (corporate, government, personal, or public) but provide a knownkerneland software and requirestrong authenticationof the user. For example, theDoD’s Software Protection Initiative[9]offersLightweight Portable Security,aLiveCDthat boots only in RAM creating a pristine, non-persistent, end node while usingCommon Access Cardsoftware for authentication into DoD networks.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^Tim Fisher (12 December 2018)."What Is a Node in a Computer Network: Your computer and printer are both network nodes".Retrieved24 December2018.
- ^Natalia Chrzanowska (23 March 2017)."Why to Use Node.js: Pros and Cons of Choosing Node.js for Back-end Development".Retrieved24 December2018.
- ^"How Secure Is Cloud Computing?".
- ^"Architecture from the top down".Archived fromthe originalon 2021-08-13.Retrieved2014-01-07.
- ^"VPN users: The weak link in network security?".Archived fromthe originalon 2009-05-11.Retrieved2010-02-06.
- ^"Business Insights and Resources"(PDF).
- ^"Cyberthieves stealing from large percentage of small businesses".USA Today.9 March 2010.
- ^"Fort Sill Virtual Private Network (VPN) Policy".Archived fromthe originalon 2011-06-17.Retrieved2010-02-06.
- ^DoD Software Protection InitiativeArchived2010-05-13 at theWayback Machine