Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Cassidy Abrams (Chief of Security) in Side Sim - Unnecessary Ideas

Posted by Ensign Ashlyn Trenton (Security Officer) in Side Sim - Unnecessary Ideas
Ashlyn came to the security office with a PaDD and a console to share with Cass. “I’m sorry to bother you, is this a good time?” Ashlyn had been on top of her work more than usual since Sharah left and frequently had been coming to the office for historical files on incidents involving data loss or unauthorized access, both successful and failed. She had been working on some projects in secret and has generated a problem more than once with her new roommate when Ashlyn had, once again, changed the lock code. It was pretty obvious a communications gap had fallen between the two Junior Officers because Ashlyn’s frequent changing of the code had been a common trait since she came aboard. Ensign Fayth never had a problem with keeping up on the code changes, however, Ensign Kien has shown a tendency to forget most of her security codes on a regular basis.

Cass waved Ashlyn over. “Yes, of course, come on it,” she said with a light smile. She folded her arms across the edge of the desk and learned forward slightly, fully expecting a report or update or something.

Once Trenton had been given permission to enter, she showed an excited eagerness that she hadn’t shown in a while. She placed the console on the desk to prepare a presentation and handed over the PaDD to the Chief of Security. The PaDD contained detailed reports of system penetration tests, both logical and physical, identified vulnerabilities, and created suggested temporary patches, then outlined a system upgrade that would require two to three weeks of work with the engineers to make sure things work without overloading relays. This upgrade would eliminate most of the identified vulnerabilities and provide longevity for the current system for another twenty years or so before a refit would be required.

Abrams went to say something, but Trenton seemed so focused (eagerly so) on her project overview that Cass couldn’t really interject. Well she could, but not without friction and she did want Trenton to finish what she was saying.

Trenton turned on the console to show off the plans for an addition to the computer core that would allow security systems to run independently of the main computer while still providing security protections. Because security would be run from a separate device, there would be less demand on the main computer, smaller power requirements, and an easier to control access point to verify all users before granting core access. This new core is designed with additional capacitors and resistors to prevent surges from disabling or affecting the main core giving it an added level of protection. Backup virtualization of the core would be available on the main computer should something happen to the security core as a redundant protocol. There is even a new suite of software on the security core that gives more precise control of containment fields within the ship assisted with a limited tactical AI to better contain breaches and unauthorized boarding parties.

Ashlyn didn’t stop there, the images even included theoretical computer core designs that would have to be worked out with an engineer, internal stun weapon systems to help with intruders that could be given kill settings with variable frequency to help fend of Borg attacks, even new internal monitoring designs to prevent tampering or interruption. Trenton eventually stopped when she realized her rambling excitement wasn’t giving Abrams the chance to even give a reply. So she stopped and stood still to wait for critique.

• Ensign Ashlyn Trenton
  Security, USS Europa

Cassidy sat back a bit and took a deep and slow inhale. “Okay, for the record, I love your enthusiasm and initiative. But… I can’t approve”-she gestured to the screen and PADD-“any of this. It’s out of our purview to a degree. Now, we can take this to the CE and see what, if any, of the upgrades are actually needed. I’m a scientist but computer system structures are not my expertise. So while I don’t doubt that you have done all your research, and given that this is your area of expertise, I want someone else to verify these issues and outcomes, and I you to be involved in that process. But, other people have to have a say in this, probably including the captain. These are major changes. Not overnight fixes. It will take time and planning to even do the smaller things, and that’s not even if they want to touch the theoretical stuff, which… I’m less convinced they will. But I can’t guarantee what others will decide, and if they say no, you are going to have to be okay with that,” she said seriously. She hated to quash that enthusiasm in any way, but there were procedures and a chain of command for a reason. She was just grateful Trenton wasn’t one of those new ensigns who started the project first and then showed you their work. That would have been disastrous.

Abrams, COS

Trenton nodded sharply, “Oh, of course, I did the research and made the notes on how the penetration test worked, but I would never make changes without bringing it up to the chain of command. I’d have brought it to you sooner but I wanted to also have a potential solution in hand so I wasn’t just bringing a problem. I’d rather not be ‘that’ person that is willing to complain about things that have gone wrong but not contribute to the solution. This is why I’m bringing it to you, showing you what I found, what I did, and how I think we can correct it. You are the next step in the process, from you and your blessing, we can contact Engineering and the CE to schedule a meeting to talk about it, sharing information and tactics, have them conduct testing of their own, and refine my suggestions into actionable items, then we can present it to the Captain and XO as a full-scale project.”

Ashlyn put down the PaDD in her hands so she could hold herself more steady, her excited energy had a tendency to make her want to move, jump, perch on things, and all of that would be inappropriate here so she was doing her best to self contain. “If they do in fact turn it down I will at least request reasoning for it, and I understand it could be anything from ‘I don’t like the way you look at the stars’ to ‘I think you’re a Romulan Spy sent to murder us in our sleep’. I can only hope they willingly give me a logically based reason for denying the request. Reason or not, if the request is denied, then I will simply have to find a new project to work on or look into. I’ll not be deterred so easily as to be demoralized by someone saying my theories are too unlikely to be an issue.”

Ashlyn pulled out a water bottle from her pocket to take a quick drink, partly to calm herself more and partly to get rid of the dry mouth of nerves from her presentation. “I was also hoping you would look at the presentation yourself and give input as to the validity or likelihood of my theoretical scenario playing out to warrant a look at the security upgrade. I’m happy to explain or even provide a demonstration if need be. To be honest, some of this was based off stuff I used to do as a kid.”

• Ensign Ashlyn Trenton
  Security, USS Europa