Understanding HP Systems Insight Manager 6.3 Security

Oracle
The Oracle database administrator must create a user (preferably with a non-blank password) for HP
SIM to use when connecting to Oracle. The Oracle user must have, at the minimum, the Connect and
DBA roles, which allow HP SIM to have the correct privileges to create and delete HP SIM tables and
views, along with read/write access to the HP SIM tables. Changes to the operating data, such as
authorizations, tasks, and collection information, can affect the operation of HP SIM. System data
contains detailed information about the managed systems, some of which might be considered
restricted, including asset information, configuration, and so on. Task data can contain extremely
sensitive data, such as user names and passwords.
Auditing
The HP SIM audit log contains entries for important system activities, such as executed tasks,
authorization modifications, user sign in and sign out, and so on. Tools by default are configured so
that results are logged to the audit log, but their tool definition files can be modified so that this is not
the case.
Command-line interface
Much of HP SIM’s functionality can be accessed through the command line. To access the command-
line interface, you must be logged on to the CMS using an operating system account that is a valid
HP SIM user account. That account’s authorizations and privileges within HP SIM apply to the
command line interface as well.
Note: On a Windows system, the operating system account must have administrator-level access on
the CMS for all of the commands to work properly.
How-to: configuration checklist
General
• Configure firewalls to allow desired ports/protocols.
• Review lockdown versus ease of use.
• After configuring the CMS and managed systems, run discovery on the CMS.
Configure CMS
• Inspect SSL server certificate and update if desired.
• Configure passwords and SNMP community strings. See the Configuring the CMS for managed
systems section below.
• Configure user accounts, based on operating system accounts that will access HP SIM.
• Review and configure toolboxes if defaults are not appropriate.
• Review and configure authorizations for users.
• Configure system link configuration format.
• Review audit log.
Strong security
Note: See How-to: lockdown versus ease of use for more details
• Enable Require Trusted Certificates, inspect and import desired system SSL certificates or root
signing certificates.