Getting Help and Resources
Last updated on 2026-08-27 | Edit this page
Overview
Questions
- Who do you contact for security questions?
- What documentation is available?
- How do you get security training updates?
- What if you have questions about this training?
Objectives
- Know who to contact for different types of help
- Find security documentation and resources
- Understand ongoing training and support
- Know how to get clarification on policies
Support Contacts
HPC Security Issues
Email: its-hpc@pomona.edu
Response time: Within 24 hours (hours during business days)
What to contact for:
- Security incidents or breaches
- Policy questions or violations
- Account access problems
- Data handling advice
- Incident reporting
ITS Help Desk
Phone: Check Pomona directory
Website: See ITS portal on Pomona website
Response time: Varies by ticket type
What to contact for:
- Authentication/login problems
- DUO setup or troubleshooting
- Password reset
- General IT issues
- Malware/security concerns on personal device
Documentation and Resources
Pomona Resources
HPC Documentation: www.pomona.edu/its
Security Policies: See ITS website
Data Classification Guide: Request from its-hpc@pomona.edu
Acceptable Use Policy: Full text available from ITS
Sagehen HPC Specific
Cluster Documentation: https://www.pomona.edu/its/
SLURM Documentation: https://slurm.schedmd.com/
OnDemand Documentation: Built-in help at https://ondemand.hpc.pomona.edu/
Industry Standards
NIST Cybersecurity Framework: https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework/
CIS Controls: https://www.cisecurity.org/cis-controls/
SANS Security: https://www.sans.org/
Getting Clarification on This Training
If Something Isn’t Clear
- Re-read the relevant episode
- Review the learner reference guide
- Email its-hpc@pomona.edu with specific question
- Ask in person at office hours or by appointment
Questions You Can Ask
- “What data classification should I use?”
- “Is this activity allowed under the policy?”
- “How do I report a security concern?”
- “Do I need to encrypt my data?”
- “Is this appropriate use?”
- Any other security or policy question
No Question is Dumb
Honest questions show good security practice. Pretending to understand when you don’t is the actual problem.
Default to Asking
If you’re 90% sure about a security decision and 10% uncertain, ask its-hpc@pomona.edu. A one-minute email can prevent weeks of account suspension or worse. Security professionals would rather answer 100 obvious questions than have one serious incident slip through.
Ongoing Training and Updates
Annual Reminders
Pomona sends annual security awareness reminders:
- Check email for messages from ITS
- Review Acceptable Use Policy annually
- Participate in security awareness campaigns
- Attend optional advanced training
Summary: Key Takeaways
Before you finish this training, remember:
Your Responsibilities
- Use HPC for approved research/education only
- Protect your password and authentication
- Classify your data appropriately
- Report security incidents promptly
- Follow all policies
- Ask when unsure
Key Contacts
- its-hpc@pomona.edu: HPC security and policy
- ITS Help Desk: Account and login issues
- Your PI: Research and data questions
- Compliance office: Legal/regulatory questions
Policy Acknowledgment Form
By completing this training, you acknowledge:
- ✓ I have read and understood the Acceptable Use Policy
- ✓ I understand the data classification system
- ✓ I know how to authenticate securely
- ✓ I understand my responsibilities
- ✓ I know how to report incidents
- ✓ I understand consequences of violations
By logging in to Sagehen, you acknowledge all of the above.
Questions Before You Finish?
Before you complete this training:
- Do you understand all 7 episodes? (One more follows this one: social engineering and phishing.)
- Are there concepts that are unclear?
- Do you know who to contact for help?
- Do you have specific questions about your research?
If you answered “no” to any question, email its-hpc@pomona.edu before finishing.
Congratulations!
You have completed the HPC Security Orientation.
Next steps:
- Acknowledge the Acceptable Use Policy (separate form)
- Set up DUO Multi-Factor Authentication if not done
- Start accessing Sagehen securely
- Consider Workshop 15 (gocryptfs) if handling sensitive data
- Refer back to resources anytime you have questions
Thank you for taking HPC security seriously. Your diligence helps protect our community.
Challenge: Create Your Security Action Plan
Based on what you’ve learned, create a personal security action plan:
- My account security: How will I protect my password and DUO?
- My data: What classification applies to my research? Where will I store it?
- My responsibilities: What policies apply to my work?
- My resources: Who will I contact if I have questions or incidents?
Write 2-3 sentences for each.
Example answers:
- Account security: “I will use a password manager to create and store a strong unique password. I will keep my DUO app updated and approved logins I didn’t trigger.”
- Data: “My data is unpublished research, so it’s PROPRIETARY classification. I will store it in /bigdata with my group. If I work with student ID numbers, I will encrypt with gocryptfs (RESTRICTED).”
- Responsibilities: “I will only use Sagehen for my approved research work. I won’t share my account. I will follow the Acceptable Use Policy.”
- Resources: “My PI for research questions, its-hpc@pomona.edu for security questions, and ITS Help Desk for account issues.”
- Contact its-hpc@pomona.edu for all HPC security questions
- ITS Help Desk handles account and authentication issues
- Documentation and resources are available on HPC wiki
- Asking questions is encouraged and appropriate
- This training sets foundation; advanced training available later
- You’re expected to implement these practices immediately
- Security is everyone’s responsibility working together