The mapping of security models from federated access and grid systems to the e-Framework is ongoing. Recent initiatives in Australia and New Zealand have mapped their respective security federations to the e-Framework. JISC has funded a large number of projects in recent years that are focused on secure access to information resources which it also wishes to map to the e-Framework. Through an iterative process of information capture, documentation and validation, this project will establish the landscape of the security systems of the e-Framework partners. It will then document and contribute UK security systems to the e-Framework, and compare current international activity and develop a roadmap for increased integration.

Mapping Security to the e-Framework

Report The Final Report for this project is now available here

 

Aims and objectives

The objectives of this study are to:

  • contribute UK service-based developments in the area of security to the international e-Framework, whose primary aim is to facilitate technical interoperability within and across the education and research through improved strategic planning and implementation processes
  • compare and contrast the security mechanisms in place across the partner countries in the e-Framework to support increased interoperability

Project methodology

This project will accomplish its objectives through an iterative process of information capture, documentation and validation. The activities are separated into three phases:

  • Phase 1 will engage the key stakeholders in the project and establish the landscape of the security systems of the e-Framework partners
  • Phase 2 will describe and document the core technical components of the UK security systems
  • Phase 3 will compare the e-Framework partner SUMs and document the findings from the project including a model of current international activity and a roadmap for increased integration

Anticipated outputs and outcomes

The outputs of this project will be:

  • High-level synopsis of current progress of e-Framework partners’ security service definitions and SUMs, and UK Federation and NGS CA security policies and systems
  • Documentation of the technical components of the security services that are currently in place in the UK (submitted to the e-Framework Community Wiki for comment)
  • Comparison of the international partner SUMs
  • Final report which will provide a high-level view of the international landscape and ongoing developments, and a roadmap to help JISC (and its partners) to understand what subsequent activities to undertake

The outcomes of this project will be:

  • better international interoperability between Higher Education Institutions
  • improved international collaboration
  • a coherent picture of UK activity and security systems

Technology / Standards used

We will not be developing code, but the work will be expected to reference standards including:

  • X509
  • SAML
  • Shibboleth
  • the various Grid software packages available
  • WS-*
  • XACML
Lead institution

Project Staff

Project Manager
Project Team

Documents & Multimedia

Bookmark and Share
Summary
Start date
1 May 2008
End date
1 November 2008
Funding programme
e-Infrastructure Programme
Committees
  • JISC Support of Research committee
Topic