InfoSec Blog

Within our homes, small and medium business settings, and enterprise environments we use data. We manipulate it, we report on it, we use it to create more data, we may ship it off site, we bring it in, and we send it out. While we need all of it to do our jobs; are we watching or keeping up with where we are placing it?

In the first two parts of this series we discussed installing the SuSe Linux operating system. The first in the series took you through the first half of the installation while the second finished the install off. The install served to get you a base installation of SuSe Linux. If you have a default build for SuSe that you prefer then by all means use it just make sure to open the appropriate firewall ports for Splunk and administering the system (22 and 443 to start with more to be added as we go into parts 4 and 5 of this series). With that said let's setup a basic Splunk instance on the server. Now that the Linux operating system is installed it is time to install the latest instance of Splunk...

This is the second part of the installation of the operating system for a Splunk deployment. the first portion of the installation got us through the longest part of the installation. We have our partitions in place and are ready to move on to the next steps and finish the installation.

For the purpose of this blog series I am going to go through installing the operating system for Splunk. The operating system that I have chosen in Suse Enterprise 10. My goal in this blog series is to provide a step by step installation guide and configuration guide. While you will not be either a Splunk expert or a Linux expert after reading this series you will be able to forward, maintain, and take care of the logs within your environment. I chose to use Suse for the installation for two reasons. First I wanted the smallest footprint from the operating system as I could achieve so Linux was the obvious choice. Second, and more specifically, I chose Suse because of my familiarity with the OS and the ability to use Yast for installing additional packages if needed. this could be tweaked for other Linux installations. Installing the operating system. I didn't take the time to add fluff or colorful commentary to this installation guide. It is for those out there that want a straightforward, get it done, guide.

On more then one occasion individuals entering the United States have been stopped and the content of their laptops or other electronic devices has been inspected. Not only inspected but on multiple occasions had their laptops confiscated. Their files, email, and pictures searched for any contraband. While this may shock some or enrage your sense of civil liberties the courts have upheld these searches in the name of securing our borders. While I do have strong feelings about this I took my thoughts past my opinions and thought about my travels for work.

Getting a handle on physical security part 2. A top ten list of items that can be used to increase the physical security of your environment.

Getting a handle on physical security. The top five things you can do to the exterior of your building to increase physical security.

A brief look at nmap and how to get the most out of it.