The CNAP notes the dramatic increase in network attacks on computers, necessitating much effort by system managers to defend users from harm. This memorandum is addressed to all computer users, urging them to play an active part in protecting themselves and their colleagues from these threats, and working together with their system managers. The last year saw a major growth in threats to computer and network security on the Internet.
System managers report a continual level of probing and attempted penetration.
All these events have to be taken seriously, defences prepared, and anomalies investigated. Some serious cases have forced the shutdown of site network connections for several days, with real consequences for work at those sites and knock-on effects at other sites. System managers have invested considerable effort over this period, to identify and deploy more-secure methods of working. The CNAP wishes to emphasise the importance of all users playing their part in this effort, to protect themselves, their colleagues and their experiments from harm. These features bring special risks and threats, and prompts the CNAP to draw special attention to the responsibilities that this places on users.