TeknoCiencia.es

Thank you all for your feedback on our latest Bulletin article on “Security is YOU!”. Indeed, I can confirm that at CERN you are, in the first instance, responsible for: the computer security of the laptops, smart phones and PCs you use; the computing accounts and passwords you own; the files and documents you hold; the programs and applications you have installed or, in particular, written; and the computer services and systems you manage. In the free and liberal academic environment of CERN, I, as Computer Security Officer, decline that general responsibility.

How can one take responsibility for something one does not control? Currently, I do not control the operating system you run, the programs and applications you install, the webpages you browse, the software you write, the files and documents you create, and the computing services you deploy. Dictating and restricting you to controlled solutions would contradict that freedom and liberty of academic working. Of course, we can change that, but I love CERN’s academic freedom too. So this is probably not the right way to go.

Rather, I see my role as finding a good balance between that academic freedom, the operational needs of the Organization and computer security - and in enabling YOU to assume your share of this balance. “Computer Security” has been delegated to you, but you are not alone. The Computer Security Team is ready to help you. We provide training and awareness, consulting and audits, general protection and detection services, as well as a central Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT). And there is the IT Department! You can delegate your responsibility to the IT Department, which provides a multitude of secured computing services.

In this respect, take this as an offer for 2013. Enjoy the end of the year and have a safe new year!

If you are interested in our work, feel free to subscribe to our monthly security report. For further information, please check our web site or contact us at Computer.Security@cern.ch.

Here are the winners of our “Hide & Seek” competition looking for confidential, but accidentally public, documents on CERN websites: Piotr Jasiun (EN/ICE), Stefan Petrovski (EN/ICE) and Charles-Edouard Sala (BE/ASR). Well done! Congratulations!

Access the entire collection of Computer Security articles here.

The GS, IT and PH Departments are currently finalising the installation of a new digital radio communication system. Known as TETRA, the system has been specially designed to meet emergency communication needs and will be used by the CERN Fire Brigade from next January.

A delicate operation: one of the three radio antennae of the TETRA communication system is installed on top of the water tower on the Meyrin site. Photo: Anthony Grossir.

A blurred image followed by a blank screen. Marc has collapsed while carrying out maintenance work on technical equipment. It's 6.00 a.m., he's on his own and there's little chance of the firemen being alerted in time to save him. This scenario, although already unlikely today, will be impossible with the arrival of the new TETRA communication system.

TETRA is a digital radio communication system already in service in many fire brigades across Europe. It will soon be used by the CERN Fire Brigade, as well as by hundreds of CERN personnel and contractors' staff working down in the tunnels. "This new redundant radio system is operated and monitored internally at CERN, with round-the-clock support, guaranteeing us maximum reliability," explains Aurélie Pascal (IT/CS/CS), the TETRA project leader. "This is a great improvement on the VHF* systems we've been using up to now."

TETRA radio systems are designed for emergency communications but also allow users to send messages of the type "Arrived at destination" or "Taking charge of the patient" so that the progress of call-outs can be monitored by the command post in real time. "This feature will be a big help in optimising the firemen's work in the field," says Yann Lechevin, the project coordinator for the Fire Brigade.  Another interesting feature of TETRA radios is that they are equipped with a "lone worker" alarm, which alerts the fire station if anyone working in isolation is prone and no sign of movement is detectable for an extended period or in the event of a crash or bump or other such impact. This could be supplemented with a geolocation system that works even in the tunnels, as the installation of 5,000 underground position indicators from 2013 onwards is under study.

The system, which entered the test phase a few days ago, is being deployed across the whole CERN site. Three radio antennae were installed: one on the water tower on the Meyrin site, one on the Prévessin site and one at Point 4 of the LHC. The radio coverage stretches as far as the Saint Julien hospital in France and should be extended to include the route to the Geneva University Hospital next year; discussions on the subject are currently underway with the Swiss authorities. These antennae will also benefit the French and Swiss fire brigades, allowing them to use their communication equipment in CERN's underground infrastructures.

"The CERN Fire Brigade will start using the TETRA network next January. We'll be deploying almost 500 radios to meet the communication needs of CERN's different groups, services and experiments," says Sascha Schmeling, from the PH Department, who is coordinating the project for users other than firefighters and guards. These radios will be reachable by the Fire Brigade 24 hours a day and "visible" on a map (in the event of an accident only). So Marc – and everyone else – can feel reassured.

*Very High Frequency
Do you need a TETRA radio? Go to: http://cern.ch/radio.

The GS, IT and PH Departments are currently finalising the installation of a new digital radio communication system. Known as TETRA, the system has been specially designed to meet emergency communication needs and will be used by the CERN Fire Brigade from next January.

A delicate operation: one of the three radio antennae of the TETRA communication system is installed on top of the water tower on the Meyrin site. Photo: Anthony Grossir.

A blurred image followed by a blank screen. Marc has collapsed while carrying out maintenance work on technical equipment. It's 6.00 a.m., he's on his own and there's little chance of the firemen being alerted in time to save him. This scenario, although already unlikely today, will be impossible with the arrival of the new TETRA communication system.

TETRA is a digital radio communication system already in service in many fire brigades across Europe. It will soon be used by the CERN Fire Brigade, as well as by hundreds of CERN personnel and contractors' staff working down in the tunnels. "This new redundant radio system is operated and monitored internally at CERN, with round-the-clock support, guaranteeing us maximum reliability," explains Aurélie Pascal (IT/CS/CS), the TETRA project leader. "This is a great improvement on the VHF* systems we've been using up to now."

TETRA radio systems are designed for emergency communications but also allow users to send messages of the type "Arrived at destination" or "Taking charge of the patient" so that the progress of call-outs can be monitored by the command post in real time. "This feature will be a big help in optimising the firemen's work in the field," says Yann Lechevin, the project coordinator for the Fire Brigade.  Another interesting feature of TETRA radios is that they are equipped with a "lone worker" alarm, which alerts the fire station if anyone working in isolation is prone and no sign of movement is detectable for an extended period or in the event of a crash or bump or other such impact. This could be supplemented with a geolocation system that works even in the tunnels, as the installation of 5,000 underground position indicators from 2013 onwards is under study.

The system, which entered the test phase a few days ago, is being deployed across the whole CERN site. Three radio antennae were installed: one on the water tower on the Meyrin site, one on the Prévessin site and one at Point 4 of the LHC. The radio coverage stretches as far as the Saint Julien hospital in France and should be extended to include the route to the Geneva University Hospital next year; discussions on the subject are currently underway with the Swiss authorities. These antennae will also benefit the French and Swiss fire brigades, allowing them to use their communication equipment in CERN's underground infrastructures.

"The CERN Fire Brigade will start using the TETRA network next January. We'll be deploying almost 500 radios to meet the communication needs of CERN's different groups, services and experiments," says Sascha Schmeling, from the PH Department, who is coordinating the project for users other than firefighters and guards. These radios will be reachable by the Fire Brigade 24 hours a day and "visible" on a map (in the event of an accident only). So Marc – and everyone else – can feel reassured.

*Very High Frequency
Do you need a TETRA radio? Go to: http://cern.ch/radio.

The GS, IT and PH Departments are currently finalising the installation of a new digital radio communication system. Known as TETRA, the system has been specially designed to meet emergency communication needs and will be used by the CERN Fire Brigade from next January.

A delicate operation: one of the three radio antennae of the TETRA communication system is installed on top of the water tower on the Meyrin site. Photo: Anthony Grossir.

A blurred image followed by a blank screen. Marc has collapsed while carrying out maintenance work on technical equipment. It's 6.00 a.m., he's on his own and there's little chance of the firemen being alerted in time to save him. This scenario, although already unlikely today, will be impossible with the arrival of the new TETRA communication system.

TETRA is a digital radio communication system already in service in many fire brigades across Europe. It will soon be used by the CERN Fire Brigade, as well as by hundreds of CERN personnel and contractors' staff working down in the tunnels. "This new redundant radio system is operated and monitored internally at CERN, with round-the-clock support, guaranteeing us maximum reliability," explains Aurélie Pascal (IT/CS/CS), the TETRA project leader. "This is a great improvement on the VHF* systems we've been using up to now."

TETRA radio systems are designed for emergency communications but also allow users to send messages of the type "Arrived at destination" or "Taking charge of the patient" so that the progress of call-outs can be monitored by the command post in real time. "This feature will be a big help in optimising the firemen's work in the field," says Yann Lechevin, the project coordinator for the Fire Brigade.  Another interesting feature of TETRA radios is that they are equipped with a "lone worker" alarm, which alerts the fire station if anyone working in isolation is prone and no sign of movement is detectable for an extended period or in the event of a crash or bump or other such impact. This could be supplemented with a geolocation system that works even in the tunnels, as the installation of 5,000 underground position indicators from 2013 onwards is under study.

The system, which entered the test phase a few days ago, is being deployed across the whole CERN site. Three radio antennae were installed: one on the water tower on the Meyrin site, one on the Prévessin site and one at Point 4 of the LHC. The radio coverage stretches as far as the Saint Julien hospital in France and should be extended to include the route to the Geneva University Hospital next year; discussions on the subject are currently underway with the Swiss authorities. These antennae will also benefit the French and Swiss fire brigades, allowing them to use their communication equipment in CERN's underground infrastructures.

"The CERN Fire Brigade will start using the TETRA network next January. We'll be deploying almost 500 radios to meet the communication needs of CERN's different groups, services and experiments," says Sascha Schmeling, from the PH Department, who is coordinating the project for users other than firefighters and guards. These radios will be reachable by the Fire Brigade 24 hours a day and "visible" on a map (in the event of an accident only). So Marc – and everyone else – can feel reassured.

*Very High Frequency
Do you need a TETRA radio? Go to: http://cern.ch/radio.

With renewable energies on the up and up, geothermal heating is becoming increasingly popular. An ardent supporter of sustainable development, CERN welcomes this trend, even though it has certain risks for the Laboratory.

More and more people in Switzerland and France are switching to geothermal heating, with the result that more and more bore holes are being sunk for geothermal probes. Since, on average, such bore holes go down to depths of 100 m they can have an impact on CERN’s underground facilities, which are also located at approximately that depth.

In the Canton of Geneva, all bore holes, whatever their depth, are subject to planning permission. Applications for planning permission are granted – or refused – only after consultation with the Ground survey department (GESDEC). In France, only bore holes below a depth of 100 m require planning permission. In theory, bore holes to lesser depths simply need to be declared to the DREAL (Direction régionale de l'environnement, de l'aménagement et du logement), and a DICT (Déclaration d'intention de commencement de travaux) needs to be submitted. In practice, 80% of all bore holes are never actually declared.

The dangers of unauthorised borings
Youri Robert, who is in charge of CERN's geographic information (GS/SE-DOP), warns: “Undeclared geothermal bore holes represent a real hazard for our underground structures. The most obvious risk is that of simply drilling into one of the facilities, but a bore hole that passes within a couple of metres of a structure could have just as dire consequences, because the vibrations could affect the highly sensitive equipment in the accelerators.” But how can you be certain of where the LHC passes and whether your house is on top of it or not? Not to mention the fact that - on top of these location uncertainties - a vertical boring of 100 metres can deviate by up to 30 metres!

Bore holes can also trigger geological phenomena that can be damaging for the tunnels, such as rock fractures, breaching and connecting aquifers, and water or mud percolation. Michael Poehler, Head of the Design Office and Patrimony Section (GS/SE-DOP), adds: “We have enlisted the services of university laboratories and research consultancies specialising in geotechnics to assess the direct and indirect risks associated with bore holes. This has enabled us to reasonable no-bore zones around our underground structures. So it is strictly forbidden to bore holes in the zone 50 m either side of the tunnels, and authorisation is required for boring in the zone between 50 and 100 metres either side of the tunnel.”

Mapping what lies beneath
A map showing the no-bore zones has finally been drawn up (see image), in collaboration with the Pays de Gex Communauté des communes and GESDEC. The map also shows the groundwater protection zones, which are similarly out of bounds for boring. The map has been sent to all towns and villages in the Pays de Gex, to the DREAL and the BRGM (Bureau de recherches géologiques et minières), to Geneva's local authorities, and to the region's boring contractors, and might just avert any incidents.

Looking further ahead, shale-gas exploration in this region would present problems on a completely different scale. In preparation, studies are currently underway. They will determine the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing techniques, and will define safe distances to be respected. We haven’t heard the last of this.

For more  information on the areas where boring is forbidden, and to download the area maps, go to the DREAL Rhône-Alpes website.

With renewable energies on the up and up, geothermal heating is becoming increasingly popular. An ardent supporter of sustainable development, CERN welcomes this trend, even though it has certain risks for the Laboratory.

More and more people in Switzerland and France are switching to geothermal heating, with the result that more and more bore holes are being sunk for geothermal probes. Since, on average, such bore holes go down to depths of 100 m they can have an impact on CERN’s underground facilities, which are also located at approximately that depth.

In the Canton of Geneva, all bore holes, whatever their depth, are subject to planning permission. Applications for planning permission are granted – or refused – only after consultation with the Ground survey department (GESDEC). In France, only bore holes below a depth of 100 m require planning permission. In theory, bore holes to lesser depths simply need to be declared to the DREAL (Direction régionale de l'environnement, de l'aménagement et du logement), and a DICT (Déclaration d'intention de commencement de travaux) needs to be submitted. In practice, 80% of all bore holes are never actually declared.

The dangers of unauthorised borings
Youri Robert, who is in charge of CERN's geographic information (GS/SE-DOP), warns: “Undeclared geothermal bore holes represent a real hazard for our underground structures. The most obvious risk is that of simply drilling into one of the facilities, but a bore hole that passes within a couple of metres of a structure could have just as dire consequences, because the vibrations could affect the highly sensitive equipment in the accelerators.” But how can you be certain of where the LHC passes and whether your house is on top of it or not? Not to mention the fact that - on top of these location uncertainties - a vertical boring of 100 metres can deviate by up to 30 metres!

Bore holes can also trigger geological phenomena that can be damaging for the tunnels, such as rock fractures, breaching and connecting aquifers, and water or mud percolation. Michael Poehler, Head of the Design Office and Patrimony Section (GS/SE-DOP), adds: “We have enlisted the services of university laboratories and research consultancies specialising in geotechnics to assess the direct and indirect risks associated with bore holes. This has enabled us to reasonable no-bore zones around our underground structures. So it is strictly forbidden to bore holes in the zone 50 m either side of the tunnels, and authorisation is required for boring in the zone between 50 and 100 metres either side of the tunnel.”

Mapping what lies beneath
A map showing the no-bore zones has finally been drawn up (see image), in collaboration with the Pays de Gex Communauté des communes and GESDEC. The map also shows the groundwater protection zones, which are similarly out of bounds for boring. The map has been sent to all towns and villages in the Pays de Gex, to the DREAL and the BRGM (Bureau de recherches géologiques et minières), to Geneva's local authorities, and to the region's boring contractors, and might just avert any incidents.

Looking further ahead, shale-gas exploration in this region would present problems on a completely different scale. In preparation, studies are currently underway. They will determine the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing techniques, and will define safe distances to be respected. We haven’t heard the last of this.

For more  information on the areas where boring is forbidden, and to download the area maps, go to the DREAL Rhône-Alpes website.

Hall 300, which houses the Synchrocyclotron (SC), CERN’s first accelerator, is getting ready to host a brand-new exhibition. The site will be one of the stops on the new visit itineraries that will be inaugurated for the 2013 CERN Open Day.

The Synchrocyclotron through the years.

Just as it did in the late 1950s, when the accelerator was first installed, the gigantic red structure of the Synchrocyclotron's magnet occupies a large part of the 300-square-metre hall. “We have completed the first phase of the project that will give the SC a new lease of life,” says Marco Silari, the project leader and a member of CERN’s Radiation Protection Group. “We have removed all the equipment that was not an integral part of the accelerator. The hall is now ready for the civil-engineering work that will precede the installation of the exhibition.”

The SC was witness to a big part of the history of CERN. The accelerator produced its first 600 MeV proton beam on 1 August 1957. Ten years later, construction began on an underground hall to house the ISOLDE experiments, which were supplied by the SC for almost 25 years. A large variety of different particles were accelerated by the SC over the years until 1990, when the accelerator was shut down and the hall became a storage area. “The exhibition will take visitors back from the present to the beginning of physics research at CERN,” explains Rolf Landua, Head of CERN’s Education Group, which is in charge of developing the exhibition site. “A sort of time tunnel at the entrance to the hall will take the visitor progressively into the atmosphere of the late 1950s. A sound and light show based on the projection mapping technique will virtually bring the synchrocyclotron back to life. Finally, one corner of the hall will be dedicated to reconstructing life at CERN at that time, with real objects recreating a typical workplace. Researchers who worked on SC-related projects will also virtually recount their stories to the visitor.”

The cleaning of the SC hall took about seven months and, besides an external company, involved many CERN services from the transport group and the magnet group to the civil-engineering team. “Before starting the clean-up of almost 200 tonnes of scrap material, we recovered quite a number of small objects dating back to the beginning of the SC era, such as old telephones, control panels, tools, warning displays and loudspeakers, which we will put back into the hall to form part of the exhibition,” explains Marco Silari. A party was organised on 13 December to celebrate the end of this first phase of work and the hand-over to the civil-engineering team in preparation for the installation of the exhibition. The exhibition is being designed by Atelier Brückner, which also designed the Universe of Particles permanent exhibition that was installed in the Globe in 2010. Together with three other sites, the SC will be open to visitors by September 2013, in time for the CERN Open Day.
 

Hall 300, which houses the Synchrocyclotron (SC), CERN’s first accelerator, is getting ready to host a brand-new exhibition. The site will be one of the stops on the new visit itineraries that will be inaugurated for the 2013 CERN Open Day.

The Synchrocyclotron through the years.

Just as it did in the late 1950s, when the accelerator was first installed, the gigantic red structure of the Synchrocyclotron's magnet occupies a large part of the 300-square-metre hall. “We have completed the first phase of the project that will give the SC a new lease of life,” says Marco Silari, the project leader and a member of CERN’s Radiation Protection Group. “We have removed all the equipment that was not an integral part of the accelerator. The hall is now ready for the civil-engineering work that will precede the installation of the exhibition.”

The SC was witness to a big part of the history of CERN. The accelerator produced its first 600 MeV proton beam on 1 August 1957. Ten years later, construction began on an underground hall to house the ISOLDE experiments, which were supplied by the SC for almost 25 years. A large variety of different particles were accelerated by the SC over the years until 1990, when the accelerator was shut down and the hall became a storage area. “The exhibition will take visitors back from the present to the beginning of physics research at CERN,” explains Rolf Landua, Head of CERN’s Education Group, which is in charge of developing the exhibition site. “A sort of time tunnel at the entrance to the hall will take the visitor progressively into the atmosphere of the late 1950s. A sound and light show based on the projection mapping technique will virtually bring the synchrocyclotron back to life. Finally, one corner of the hall will be dedicated to reconstructing life at CERN at that time, with real objects recreating a typical workplace. Researchers who worked on SC-related projects will also virtually recount their stories to the visitor.”

The cleaning of the SC hall took about seven months and, besides an external company, involved many CERN services from the transport group and the magnet group to the civil-engineering team. “Before starting the clean-up of almost 200 tonnes of scrap material, we recovered quite a number of small objects dating back to the beginning of the SC era, such as old telephones, control panels, tools, warning displays and loudspeakers, which we will put back into the hall to form part of the exhibition,” explains Marco Silari. A party was organised on 13 December to celebrate the end of this first phase of work and the hand-over to the civil-engineering team in preparation for the installation of the exhibition. The exhibition is being designed by Atelier Brückner, which also designed the Universe of Particles permanent exhibition that was installed in the Globe in 2010. Together with three other sites, the SC will be open to visitors by September 2013, in time for the CERN Open Day.