The University's Executive Compliance Committee (ECC) has made a policy change that requires all commodity servers to be physically or virtually located in the University Data Center. Such a change helps to address a number of risks that the committee has been monitoring over the years. More details on the policy change can be found at: https://security.utexas.edu/policies/irusp#19.5
Commodity servers are defined as systems providing basic information technology services to university affiliates (e.g., web services, mail services, file services, database services, directory services, collaboration services).
There were roughly 600 commodity servers identified as having high-volume activity that were located outside of the University Data Center. The ECC has asked the Information Security Office to work with each affected unit on the final disposition of each server.
Commodity Services
- Collaboration Services
- Database Services (MySQL)
- Directory Services
- File Services (Storage)
- Mail Services
- Web Services
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University Affiliates - Important Information
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University Wiki Service
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MySQL is an open source relational database management system (RDBMS). It is commonly used for database services for other open source and web applications.
https://www.utexas.edu/its/mysql/
Features:
- 1 gigabyte of storage space on the central MySQL database servers.
- Daily Backups with two week retention.
- Ability to safely store Category-I data in databases.
- Access to phpMyAdmin and the MySQL command line client for database management and administration.
- Access to the ITS Systems MySQL team for advice and troubleshooting.
- Access to commercial MySQL support via the ITS Systems MySQL team.
Cost:
The MySQL database service is available at no cost for departments for up to six named databases. Additional named databases can be purchased in quantities of six for an additional $150 per year. Additional storage space is $7 per gigabyte per year.
MySQL Order Form: https://www.utexas.edu/its/mysql/forms/
MySQL Help: https://www.utexas.edu/its/help/mysql
Directory Services
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A directory service is a system system that stores, organizes and provides access to information in a directory. It allows the look-up of values given a name, similar to a dictionary. In a directory, a name may be associated with multiple, different pieces of information.
Examples:
- Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)
- Network Information Services (NIS)
- Domain Name Systems (DNS)
A mechanism in place for user account creation and management within an infrastructure and/or service (e.g. mail, web, computer access)
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Austin Disk Services (https://www.utexas.edu/its/storage/) link)Anchor austin austin
Features:
- Meets the minimum standards set by ISO for storing
Category I Data - Confidential data using IPSec, secure WebDAV, or SFTP to connect. Please see the SLA before storing protected research data on Austin Disk
- Automatically synchronize work you do offline with austin.utexas.edu any time you log on with the Offline Folders feature of Microsoft Windows
- Automatically backs up your files three times per day to ensure your data is secure
- Two week retention period
- Supports end-user recovery of backups with compatible clients (machine must be on the Austin Domain)
- Works best with Windows
Cost:
Effective September 1, 2014 the cost for Austin Disk shares, departmental and individual, will be $1.50 per GB per year. Accounts charged $2.80 per GB per year for the 2013-2014 fiscal year instead of $2.00 will be refunded $0.80 per $2.80 charged once the fiscal year rolls over. Individuals can purchase disk space online in 1 GB increments, up to 20 GB. Departments can also purchase disk space online, with a minimum allocation of 50 GB, at an annual rate of $75 per 50 GB allotment.
Austin Disk Support: https://wwwut.utexasservice-now.educom/its/help/storageutss/KAhome.do?number=KB0013849
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UT Enterprise Bulk Storage (UTEBS)
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Customers must manage access client protocols, such as CIFS, NFS, and AFP via a server front-end. It is required that customer servers are located within UDC-C to connect to UT Enterprise Bulk Storage.
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UT Enterprise Bulk Storage provides the following options for Data Protection:
Single Copy Option:
- No backup service/redundant copy is provided natively.
- Customer is responsible for data backup and any costs associated with data backups.
- Customer data will be unavailable during all published Full, Partial or Emergency maintenance events.
Note: A Mirrored Copy option is available, but doubles the cost per GB. It is preferred that servers mounting UT Enterprise Bulk Storage are located in the University Data Center.
Bulk Storage SLA: https://wwwut.utexasservice-now.educom/itsutss/sla/slaKAhome.phpdo?idnumber=1609KB0011485
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UTBackup provides an enterprise-level, centralized, and automated digital data backup solution for the UT Austin campus. For end users, UTBackup assures peace of mind that their data is being backed up safely and securely. UTBackup is available for current UT faculty and staff who have departmental technical support.
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UTmail provides UT Austin students and alumni with a university affiliated email address in the @utexas.edu domain. Those who opt-in to the service can choose their email address and have 25+ GB of email storage. In addition, UTmail provides email for life.
Features
- email account on the @utexas.edu domain.
- 25+ GB storage.
- Choose your own account name.
- Keep your email address for life!
- Information Security Office (ISO) approved Google Drive Integration with Canvas using your UTmail account.
Cost
UTmail is available at no cost to current UT Austin students, alumni, faculty, staff and retirees.
UTmail FAQshttp://www.utexas.edu/its/utmail/FAQs Help
Note: creating customized domains within UTmail is currently restricted by the UT Google site administrators
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Note: Custom domains or alias are being investigated. Academic staff (TA, GRAs, etc) could potentially be included. This is not a "for life" email account. The email account will be processed for deletion when university affiliation no longer exists. Permanent forwarding of email is also being investigated.
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The University Blog Service is available for use by faculty, staff, and students. The service uses the WordPress platform. Blogs can be created by, and are available for individuals, groups, projects, or departments.
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University Blog Service is available at no cost to faculty, staff, and students.
University Blog Service - Help
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Google Sites (UTMail Account)
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- Write your website in HTML, CSS, or JavaScript
- You can take full advantage of the 25GB of storage available in a UTmail account.
- Limited to current domain name structure
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UT Web
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(publishing on Unix)
UT Web Central Overview: http https://wwwits.utexas.edu/itsprojects/webcentral/
UT Web Central on UNIX Help: http://www.utexas.edu/its/help/unixweb
UT Web Central is a conventional Unix-based shared Web hosting platform environment that provides:
- UNIX user accounts and file storage
- File ownership groups for shared content editing
- Automated task execution
- Allows secure file uploading, downloading and storage
- Shared common Web server and resources
- Keep existing URL or create new @ece.utexas.edu
Features
- Flat HTML as well as CGI and PHP scripting
- Perl 5.6.1
- PHP 5.2.5
- TCLSH 8.2.2
- RHEL5 (default) or Solaris
- 24-hour operator coverage with daily backups
- Searchable using the ITS-supported Google Custom Search Engine (CSE)
- Supports connections to MySQL, and Oracle databases
- Access to Urchin Web Analytics and the Accessibility Scanning Tool is available upon request
- Supports secure (https) Web access to content and applications via SSL
- Supports UT EID logon authentication (see Accessing EID Data)
Note: Web Central does not support custom frameworks or other languages such as such as Ruby, Python, and .NET
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6
- Apache HTTP server version 2.2
- MySQL version 5.6 (local installations)
- PHP programming language versions 5.3 and 5.4
- Virtualmin Web Panel for self-service site management
- Access to phpMyAdmin and the MySQL command-line client
- 1-click Drupal Installer
- 1-click WordPress Installer
- Self-managed file backups and recovery
- Unix shell access via UT EID
- Access to raw log files
- Access to both Git and SVN version control tools
- CGI Scripting
- PHP supported MSSQL connections
- Improved performance and reliability
Cost: Web publishing on UT Web Central is available to university departments or sponsored groups at no cost.
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You should consider structuring your exceptions around the following:
https://security.utexas.edu/policies/irusp#standard23
- business case for exception
- physical controls for exception
- logical controls for exception
What is meant by logical controls?
According to the Information Security Office (ISO), logical security controls would consist of implementing permissions, logging, and auditing mechanisms for access to unattended systems. For example, physical access of the "server room" should have an Access Control System in place to track who has access to a particular area, and logs when an individual has entered the controlled area.
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University Affiliate Assignment Requirements
Very Special Note on Affiliates
Beginning May 19, 2014, all persons who lose eligibility due to their affiliation change (departure) with the university will lose eligibility for certain university services, such as a AEMS/Office 365 mailbox, personal Austin Disk services, WebCentral services, etc. For example, users with an active AEMS/Office 365 will receive a notice that their mailbox has been locked and will be removed in 30 days if no action is taken. As a result, the group member will not be able to send, receive, or access messages from AEMS/Office 365.
For students, this does not include UT Mail (via Google). Exceptions can be made for faculty who have departed from the university, depending on their continued interaction with the department, university, or status (e.g. Emeritus).