Two answers. Firstly, (correct me if I'm wrong), but the church has stated that those types of church programs are only to be put on computers owned by the church. I've understood that to be computers donated to the church, too. However, they are NOT supposed to be on even a church-owned computer with a standard modem. The church modems (e.g., used for tithing reporting) have some ID/encryption hardware for security. IOW, putting MLS on the laptop is not really allowed. Nevertheless, feel free to check with Church HQ and see what they say. It's better to follow the proper procedure with somebody else's information and programs......
Secondly, if you are going to run a Linux laptop and you're worried about data being compromised, then you should encrypt it. The easiest way is to setup an encrypting file system. You can set it up so that every byte on the disk is encrypted -- even the boot sector. The master key would be stored on a CD that must be in the drive in order for the machine to boot. There are a couple of these out there and they (the good ones) run flawlessly with very little overhead. AES encryption is really fast. I've implemented it with < 10% overhead -- in software. Steve -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of John Mulholland Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 5:03 AM To: LDS Open Source Software Subject: Re: [Ldsoss] New here. Does anybody know of any counsel given about putting MLS data on personal computers? I am not aware of any so I think we need to proceed with our own judgement based on our understanding of how the system currently works. I think that names, phone #, home teaching assignments are fine. Transgressions definitely shouldn't be recorded. And then we have a huge gray area. I think that home teaching statistics are fairly harmless along with attitudes of inactives. My understanding is that only MLS is to be used for any financial data, including tithing status. Temple recommend status is questionable in my opinion. I would be quite embarassed if ward members found out I didn't hold a current recommend. Maybe we should judge the security by how many poeple have access to the data. All data should be kept current so if an attitude changes then I don't see a reason to keep the old attitudes recorded. Remember that I do no speak with authority just experience and some understanding. I welcome the suggestions of others. John Richard Smith wrote: >My Branch President has just requested that I put Linux onto an aging laptop, >and make MLS available to him on it. He is trustworthy, and the Lord has >entrusted him with his calling so I have complete confidence that he will not >abuse the data in MLS. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for other >members of the Branch Presidency, but the Lord has put them there so I have >to trust His decisions. > >After putting MLS and the data onto his laptop, we need to protect it. Not >from him, but from loss or theft of the laptop. Each one of us knows the >sensitive nature of the documents stored in MLS. Here is what I want to do >with the laptop. > >Find some way of password protected encrypting (atrocious grammar, sorry) the >data for MLS, so it needs to be unlocked before MLS can access it. Any ideas >for accomplishing this? This way, the only person who can access the data in >MLS is someone who knows the password. This means that if the thief knows >Linux, knows about MLS, wants the data in there, and knows what to do with >the data, they would need to throw heavy resources decrypting the information >first. No post-it-notes on the laptop with the password... our Branch >President isn't that soft. > >There does need to be controls, but the same controls that businesses use to >protect their sensitive information. > >-Richard > >On Tuesday 13 September 2005 06:04, Jeff raymond wrote: > > >>John, you raise some good questions that should be thought through. I am >>curious as to what others thinking is on the issue of church related >>electronic information. >> >> >> >>- Really, should information be transferred from ward/stake computers to >>PDA's, tablets, and home computers? >> >> >> >>- If yes to the above question, what information should be controlled, >>allowed or restricted and for whom? >> >> >> >>- What should be done with the information once it has served its purpose? >> >> >> >>My Bishop carries the MLS info on his palm and I assume he is comfortable >>with it there. As for me, I have the paper versions of the directory, >>members with and without callings, and the bishopric action and interview >>list. These travel back and forth with me between home and church >>meetings. On my tablet I have my written notes from bishopric meetings and >>auxiliary meetings. Also on my tablet I am trying a program called >>"MyWard." >> >> >> >>As I contemplate the questions above, I find myself comparing the pros and >>cons of using paper vs. electronic information. I have had some thoughts >>with regard to security. I can secure all my electronic information from >>prying eyes and snooping fingers with passwords, but not so easy with >>paper. When I am released I can securely erase all my electronic info, >>folders, etc, but with paper it needs to be shredded to be completely sure. >> I have just changed from 2nd assistant in the high priests group >>leadership to executive secretary. I found it very easy to erase all the >>info I generated electronically over the past couple of years. >>Interestingly, it was cathartic. >> >> >> >>Thanks, >> >>Jeff Raymond >> >> >_______________________________________________ >Ldsoss mailing list >Ldsoss@lists.ldsoss.org >http://lists.ldsoss.org/mailman/listinfo/ldsoss > > > _______________________________________________ Ldsoss mailing list Ldsoss@lists.ldsoss.org http://lists.ldsoss.org/mailman/listinfo/ldsoss _______________________________________________ Ldsoss mailing list Ldsoss@lists.ldsoss.org http://lists.ldsoss.org/mailman/listinfo/ldsoss
