Home > Ask the Security Experts > Expert Archive: Information Security Threats Questions & Answers > Will allowing virtual machines increase risk exposure?
Ask The Security Expert: Questions & Answers
EMAIL THIS

Will allowing virtual machines increase risk exposure?

Ed Skoudis, past SearchSecurity.com expert EXPERT RESPONSE FROM: Ed Skoudis, past SearchSecurity.com expert

Pose a Question
Other Security Categories
Meet all Security Experts
Become an Expert for this site


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


>
QUESTION POSED ON: 18 July 2007
A number of power users in our organization are interested in experimenting with virtualization on their client devices. We currently have relaxed client security policy guidelines for users. Would allowing client virtualization increase our risk exposure?

>
I assume by "virtualization" here that you mean "virtual machines" (VMs), the software that allows one or more guest operating systems to run on either a host machine or a hypervisor. Given that understanding, the question is really whether you would allow your users to bring other, non-standard operating systems to your enterprise and install them on company computer systems. That's pretty much what's happening when these users install virtual machine environments and put operating systems on them to run various applications.

It is not necessarily a risk, other than the fact that you will have less insight into what these users are up to. That argument, however, would apply to any sort of strange beast of system or software that is brought into the enterprise.

Thus, it all comes down to how much you trust these users and what they might do. Do you need to monitor their actions carefully? The VMs, if deployed in the manner that you describe, will be completely controlled by the users, and they will therefore be invisible pockets of software in the environment. Perhaps you can strike a bargain with these users that doesn't have quite as much potential for chaos. You can, for example, choose a set of operating systems that you will support as virtual guests. Then, you can require employees to install security packages, like antivirus and personal firewalls, in those guests. That might help you strike the right balance.

More information:

  • Prepare for virtualization security unknowns.
  • Michael Cobb reveals the security-related pitfalls of moving toward a virtualization environment.


  • BROWSE BY TAG
    Application and Platform Security,   Virtualization Security Issues and Threats,   Expert Archive: Information Security Threats,   Information Security Policies, Procedures and Guidelines,   Information Security Management,   VIEW ALL TAGS

    Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   



    RELATED CONTENT
    Virtualization Security Issues and Threats
    Cloud computing data security starts with internal strategy, experts say
    PCI virtualization SIG closer to proposing changes to standard
    Security challenges with cloud computing services
    Secure virtual desktop software enables remote client security
    Security threats to virtual environments less theoretical, more practical
    At VMworld 2009, companies focus on virtual desktops for security
    Security fundamentals remain focus of virtualization deployments
    How to implement virtual firewalls in a complex network infrastructure
    How to find virtual machines for greater virtualization compliance
    Quiz: Virtualization and compliance

    Expert Archive: Information Security Threats
    The telltale signs of a network attack
    Will Google Chrome enhance overall browser security?
    Are there antivirus suites that pick up more than just run-of-the-mill viruses?
    What tools can a hacker use to crack a laptop password?
    Are social networking sites an easy target for malicious hackers?
    What are the dangers of cross-site request forgery attacks (CSRF)?
    Should social engineering tests be included in penetration testing?
    What kind of data is compromised during a Google hack?
    Best practices for using restriction policy whitelists
    Defining mobile device security concerns

    Information Security Policies, Procedures and Guidelines
    Essential guide: Pandemic planning for H1N1
    Whitelists, SaaS modify traditional security, tackle flaws
    Melissa Hathaway urges more cooperation, government attention to cybersecurity
    Reuters: Obama ready to select cyber security czar
    How a corporate Twitter policy can combat social network threats
    Should enterprises be concerned with Twitter in the workplace?
    Information security management hype: Debunking best practices
    Data breach avoidance begins with security basics, panel says
    Expert: Information security spending often restricts innovation
    GAO report cites government weaknesses, data leakage

    RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS
    Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary
    defense in depth  (SearchSecurity.com)
    non-disclosure agreement  (SearchSecurity.com)
    security policy  (SearchSecurity.com)

    RELATED RESOURCES
    2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems
    Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts
    Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary



    Search and Browse the Expert Answer Center
    Search and browse more than 25,000 question and answer pairs from more than 250 TechTarget industry experts.
    Browse our Expert Advice



    Find Security Solutions for Your Business
    TechTarget Security Media
    Information Security View this month\\'s issue and subscribe today.
    Information Security Decisions Apply online for free conference admission.
    SearchSecurity.com
    HomeNewsMagazineMultimediaWhite PapersLearningAdviceTopicsEventsAbout Us

    About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
    TechTarget provides technology professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective purchase decisions and managing their organizations' technology projects - with its network of technology-specific websites, events and online magazines.

    TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Site Map




    All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2003 - 2009, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
      TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts