Effective operating system security measures help prevent unauthorized access and theft of computer time and any kind of sensitive information, such as marketing plans, formulas, or proprietary software. These measures can also protect equipment, software, and files from damage caused by tampering.

This chapter provides security administrators with an overview of security measures available with the operating system. “Security for the System Administrator” provides more specific information regarding site security policies, the tasks of security administrators, and methods of protecting site computer systems and resources.