Corp Security Matrix Style, yeah i suck at matrix Options

[VykosDarkSoul]

So ive got a player who wants to hack into a small Aztech lab, wants to pull data on an employee for a snatch and grab, a corp change of scenery if you will.

Here is the problem. I suck at the matrix.


what kind of matrix security could be expected here?

[Warlordtheft]

First you need to decide how secure the small lab's matrix is. Is it wireless? Is it connected to the entire matrix in some way? Once that is decided you can go one step further and start statting things out. Also you need to figure out how the corp will respond to the alert.

IMHO the firewall/system and program ratings represent:
Rating 1-2 is pretty much an open door to just about any hacker.
Rating 3-4 is mid level, about wht you'd expect from most retail
Rating 5-6 is high level, about wht you'd expect from the police, security forces and secure research labs.
Rating 7+ is military grade.

Here's some tips to make your life easier:
Keep everything at the same rating. Boring--yes, but youll always know how many dice to roll.
Have an idea as to the capabilities of any corprate security hackers that may be or become present (you can do the same thing here and have all programs and skills at rating 4 and add a +2 for being hot simmed.

If he has the time he can slow hack the system, he will probably go for admin. Once in an admin account he should be able to easily access the data he is looking for. basically browse then down load the data-erase his logs in the system (edit) and then jack out.

If he does not have time for a slow hack, basically He'll be trying to brute force his way in, and may trip all the IC to attack him (agents loaded with attack, analyze, and other programs), once he either defeats that he'll have to deal with the corp sec hacker or hackers. The longer the alert lasts, the more likely matrix personnel will notice and be sent to him. Once a Corpsec Matrix goon squad shows up he should get the idea and jackout.


Rules for you to review:
1. Slow hacking and how one initially hacks into a system via brute force.
2. Trace programs (there would be a good chance they launch a trace program to track down the hacker)
3. How IC work in SR4. Basically you have an Agent rating, the programs it uses rating (again this could include black hammer, attack programs, medic, armor, and all sorts of things, however it is limited in rating to the system rating of the node and that you don't want to overload the node with programs-each program and agent running on the node counts including the programs being used by the agent)

[VykosDarkSoul]

Thanks the tips and reference points!

[Eratosthenes]

Don't forget that there are other ways to protect data besides high end servers, such as only being accessible offline, or during particular times during the day, etc. A company would have to balance these alternate means with their inconvenience to their workers, but for highly sensitive/secretive projects, it would make sense for them not to be accessible from the matrix-at-large.

The ratings Warlordtheft provided are spot on. Typically, which ratings are used depends on two things:

1) The value of the data being protected, and
2) The means of the ones doing the protecting.

So while a small, A corp might have some secret project beyond value, that could change the way people think about the world, it's unlikely they'd have it stored on a rating 10 UV server, if only because they couldn't afford it. Likewise, a AAA corp isn't going to be using rating 8 servers to protect the jingles for their fizzy soft drinks (well, that depends on the fizzy soft drink I suppose).

[Warlordtheft]

Also, forgot to mention. Download the Datahaven issue 2 (there's a main link on the DS home page), there's a section on hacking on there to further educate you on all things matrix.

[Ryu]

Here's some tips to make your life easier:
Keep everything at the same rating. Boring--yes, but youll always know how many dice to roll.
Have an idea as to the capabilities of any corprate security hackers that may be or become present (you can do the same thing here and have all programs and skills at rating 4 and add a +2 for being hot simmed.

You can spice it up by giving a dp +2-4 (or something) for matrix personells area of speciality (Combat Hacker, Data Analyst, Programmer...).

This would model specialisations, some higher program ratings and cyberware alike. Hot-SIM definitly has to be considered individually, agreed.

[Kolinho]

Also, forgot to mention. Download the Datahaven issue 2 (there's a main link on the DS home page), there's a section on hacking on there to further educate you on all things matrix.

That issue moved me personally from not having a clue what was going on with the Matrix to having the faintest idea what was going on (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Ergo, I fully recommend it.