Write once, read many (WORM) using Linux file system
- by phil_ayres
I have a requirement to write files to a Linux file system that can not be subsequently overwritten, appended to, updated in any way, or deleted. Not by a sudo-er, root, or anybody. I am attempting to meet the requirements of the financial services regulations for recordkeeping, FINRA 17A-4, which basically requires that electronic documents are written to WORM (write once, read many) devices. I would very much like to avoid having to use DVDs or expensive EMC Centera devices.
Is there a Linux file system, or can SELinux support the requirement for files to be made complete immutable immediately (or at least soon) after write? Or is anybody aware of a way I could enforce this on an existing file system using Linux permissions, etc?
I understand that I can set readonly permissions, and the immutable attribute. But of course I expect that a root user would be able to unset those.
I considered storing data to small volumes that are unmounted and then remounted read-only, but then I think that root could still unmount and remount as writable again.
I'm looking for any smart ideas, and worst case scenario I'm willing to do a little coding to 'enhance' an existing file system to provide this. Assuming there is a file system that is a good starting point. And put in place a carefully configured Linux server to act as this type of network storage device, doing nothing else.
After all of that, encryption on the files would be useful too!
