Security problem hits NCAR supercomputer site

AN UNNAMED security problem hit NCAR computer users at the end of last week, it appears, and will tie up security resources for another week.

The scientific computing division (SCD) of NCAR (the National Center for Atmospheric Research) notified users that it had taken "the prudent action" of disabling user accounts on its supercomputing resources.

The computer system includes a storage system that has over 724 terabytes of data.

A letter to those concerned, apparently from Tom Bettge, an associate director of SCD, and seen by the INQ, said that it was working with users, vendors and national and international peer centres to analyse what went wrong and how to react to it.

The letter said: "Our goal is to protect and defend the assets of UCAR, to respond seriously to security threats and incidents, and to facilitate the use of these IT resources for scientific activities".

Such plans are being tested duyring this week, and it expects the resources to re-open between April the 20th and April the 27th. µ

L'INQ
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