Computer Security: Working privately in public

Gosh, was he annoyed! I just came back from a long duty trip. Nine hours straight on the plane. As usual plenty of time to get some long awaited emails answered, time to write another document, and to prepare some presentations. The guy sitting next to me was probably thinking the same. So, from time to time I gazed over and looked at his screen following what he was working on. Curiosity is part of my job. Laptop screens are attractive. Discretion is part of my job, too. But given the confined space in the economy class of an Airbus, the screen was just shining at me and he was not able to move away or reposition his screen… He seemed to feel increasingly uncomfortable. Consequently, he gave up and read the newspaper instead. Obviously annoyed. He could have protected himself better...

Has this also happened to you? On the plane? On the train? In a restaurant? Or even in a conference or seminar? Do you care? If you do, what about clipping a “privacy screen” onto your laptop display? Such a privacy screen - technically just a polarisation filter - blocks any view from the side while you still have the full picture (assuming you sit in front of your laptop!). A large variety of privacy screens are available through the CERN stores. Just make a “Material Request” on EDH, click on the “Distrelec” punch-out catalogue and search for “privacy filter”. Make sure that you get the proper size. With it, you will feel more comfortable when working e.g. on the tram, on the train, in the restaurant… or on the plane!

So how much is your privacy worth? If you happen to deal regularly with confidential documents and travel a lot, why not invest a few francs in a privacy screen? Your next flight home for Christmas might already be booked! Also note that the upcoming CERN data protection policy will require all of us to respect confidentiality when handling sensitive documents like calls for tenders, MARS forms, personal files…

P.S. Please also note that many conference rooms and some control rooms are equipped with video conferencing cameras. You might be watched when working on your laptop. And it can be quite embarrassing if you are caught on camera when picking your nose or browsing some non-work related web pages. In order to make you aware of this, the CERN Video Conference Support Team is now installing “On Air” signs in all conference rooms.

Check out our website for further information, answers to your questions and help, or e-mail Computer.Security@cern.ch.

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by Stefan Lueders, Computer Security Team