Premise
As organizations modernize their IT infrastructure, cyber threats have grown more sophisticated. Safeguarding critical assets—such as physical hardware, customer data, and internal networks—requires robust and consistently updated security practices. This is no longer just a technical concern but a fundamental business priority.
The proliferation of interconnected business systems and the intrinsic security risks associated with displacing a large footprint over a wide swath of potential attack vectors is a relatively new business challenge. Hyperconverged systems, like Scale Computing HyperCore, provide an inherent reduced attack surface due to their integrated architecture, centralized management, and built-in security features. By integrating security at every layer, hyperconverged systems significantly reduce the security risk compared to traditional IT architectures, making them a more resilient choice for modern enterprises.
Securing these environments demands a holistic approach. Protecting data alone is not enough; measures must also safeguard node communication, network integrity, physical resources, and access controls. Without these protections, threats like hardware tampering, data interception, or unauthorized access can disrupt operations and damage business continuity.
In multi-node environments, robust security protocols are essential—not just as compliance measures but as proactive defenses against the constantly evolving cyber threat landscape. By implementing rigorous safeguards, organizations can ensure their data's integrity, confidentiality, and availability, maintaining the resilience needed for reliable operations.
Introduction
Scale Computing recognizes the need for access to information regarding practical steps all customers can leverage to improve and maintain the integrity of their systems. To ensure that our customers have the most reliable information to secure their environments, Scale Computing has produced the following document to address several common security topics and to highlight a number of best practices that customers should implement.
This document includes the following:
- Descriptions of high-level security topics pertaining to customer experiences with SC//HyperCore
- Best practices all customers should follow to ensure the security of their users, data, physical hardware, and networks
Backplane (Network Security)
Maintaining network integrity ensures that data transmitted across the network is accurate, consistent, and protected from unauthorized access or alterations. By preserving the reliability and trustworthiness of the network, organizations can prevent data breaches, unauthorized intrusions, and malicious activities. Network integrity safeguards the communication between systems, supports compliance with security policies, and helps detect and mitigate potential threats, thereby ensuring the overall stability and security of the network environment.
Authentication/Authorization
Authentication and authorization are fundamental components relevant to any secure system.
- Authentication verifies the identity of a user or entity, ensuring that they are who they claim to be, typically through credentials such as passwords, biometrics, or tokens.
- Authorization determines the permissions and access levels granted to authenticated users, defining what actions they can perform and what resources they can access.
Together, these processes help protect systems from unauthorized access and ensure that users only have access to the information and functionalities necessary for their roles.
Logging
Logging on a system involves the systematic recording of events, transactions, and activities occurring within the system. This process provides a comprehensive audit trail crucial for monitoring system performance, troubleshooting issues, detecting security breaches, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Effective logging helps administrators understand system behavior, identify anomalies, and respond promptly to incidents, thereby maintaining the system's integrity, security, and operational efficiency.
Physical Hardware Security
Physical hardware security is essential for a system as it protects the hardware and infrastructure from physical threats such as theft, data privacy, and unauthorized access. By safeguarding against vulnerabilities such as remote access to physical assets, securing hardware operating systems (OS) at the root layer, and limiting physical attack vectors such as external port access, physical security ensures that the system's components are defended against damage and tampering. This foundational layer of security is critical for maintaining the overall integrity of the customer’s system.
Data Encryption
Data encryption is vital for the security of a system as it protects sensitive data by converting it into a coded format that can only be deciphered by authorized parties. This process ensures the confidentiality and integrity of data both at rest and in transit, preventing unauthorized access and tampering. By safeguarding information such as personal data, financial transactions, and communication, encryption plays a critical role in defending against cyber threats, maintaining privacy, and complying with data protection regulations.
Conclusion
Security is a shared responsibility, and the evolving threat landscape requires vigilance, adaptability, and a commitment to best practices. Scale Computing HyperCore customers operate in complex environments where safeguarding physical hardware, data integrity, and network security is essential to maintaining uninterrupted operations and ensuring business continuity. This white paper has outlined actionable security recommendations across critical areas such as authentication, logging, encryption, physical hardware protection, and network security.
By implementing the strategies detailed in this document, customers can fortify their IT environments, reduce vulnerabilities, and enhance their overall security posture. From enforcing strong access controls to leveraging advanced encryption and isolating sensitive network traffic, these best practices serve as a comprehensive framework for mitigating risks in multi-node and single-node deployments.
At Scale Computing, we are committed to empowering our customers with the tools, resources, and guidance necessary to secure their systems effectively. A proactive approach to security, paired with the inherent reliability of SC//HyperCore, enables organizations to confidently navigate today’s complex cybersecurity challenges while remaining focused on their operational goals.
Security is not a one-time effort but a continuous and iterative process. By staying informed, regularly updating systems, and adhering to these best practices, SC//HyperCore customers can ensure their infrastructures remain resilient, secure, and ready to support their evolving business needs.