Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Cybersecurity
    • Cybersecurity

    Security Guru Unmoved by Gates RSA Remarks

    Written by

    Scot Petersen
    Published February 25, 2004
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

      SAN FRANCISCO—Bruce Schneier is one cryptographer who is about as good with a phrase as he is with numbers, especially when talking or writing about the state of security in the world today.

      Schneier, whos founder and chief technology officer of Counterpane Internet Security Inc., a security services provider, is the author of several books, the last two of which—”Beyond Fear” and “Secrets and Lies”—attempted to put security in perspective for the masses.

      Tuesday at the RSA Conference here, Schneier took part in a cryptographer panel earlier in the day, but his own popularity was in evidence as he later filled a large theater at the Metreon to, as he said, discuss whats new in security since the publication of “Beyond Fear” last fall.

      He saved some of his most interesting comments for last, when he took a question from the audience on his reaction to Microsoft Corp. CEO Bill Gates keynote earlier in the day.

      /zimages/1/28571.gifTo find out what Gates said in his keynote, read “Gates Unleashes Security Initiatives at RSA.”

      “Was it just me or was he just not excited? I expected more excitement,” Schneier said. “When he talks about features and cool things [in his products], he gets animated. But until he gets animated about security you know hes not going to solve the problem.”

      Gates received a friendly reception earlier in the day, despite the fact that Microsoft products are a constant target of viruses and worms. Schneiers audience clearly shared his feelings about the Microsoft executives remarks.

      “Security is not as exciting as the next cool thing in Windows,” Schneier said. “[Gates] had an opportunity to wow us [earlier]. I wanted to be wowed. I didnt want to hear about cool dialog boxes.

      “Its a big boat to turn around,” Schneier said about Microsofts security initiatives, such as Trustworthy Computing. “Give him some quarter for that, but hes had some time to turn about the boat. Security should be his bottom line. Then hell care.”

      Next page: Schneier advises: Get involved.

      Page Two

      Schneiers Gates comments followed some anecdotes about how everyone can help solve the security problems facing all enterprises. “Get involved,” he said. “Thats how we make changes. Otherwise security is something done to us.”

      Most security systems affect multiple parties, he explained, but usually only one person makes the decision about how security is implemented. “At this point its a negotiation. The players with most power are the ones who get to decide what the final answer is,” Schneier said. “The best way to effect security is to gain power in negotiations. The best way is to change the environment in which security decisions are being made. Change the agenda of the players. Change the outcome.”

      Every person has to make security work for himself, he said. “The goal of security systems is the most security for the least amount of trade-offs. The way to do that is to make the party who is best able to mitigate the risk responsible for the risk,” he said, saying that computer software companies at this point do not share in the risks of software security or insecurity.

      Schneier said one of the best and simplest “security systems” hes seen is the local convenience store or fast food restaurant that displays a sign at the cash register that says, “Purchase free if you dont get a receipt.” The system is not designed as a customer service, as it may appear, he said. Rather, its a means of co-opting the customer into keeping an eye on the store employee who may be suspected of skimming from the cash register. Nevertheless, the customer will be watching if he knows he could get something for free.

      “Good security systems are in line with their capabilities,” he said. “The store manager is hiring you, aligning your interests with your capabilities. Very cheap security system. For the money its really good. Thats what we should strive for in security systems. The goal is to make them as effective as possible and work with the natural tendencies of people already there.”

      /zimages/1/28571.gifCheck out eWEEK.coms Security Center at security.eweek.com for security news, views and analysis.

      Be sure to add our eWEEK.com Security newsfeed to your RSS newsreader:
      /zimages/1/19420.gifhttp://rssnewsapps.ziffdavis.com/eweeksecurity.xml

      Scot Petersen
      Scot Petersen
      Scot Petersen is a technology analyst at Ziff Brothers Investments, a private investment firm. Prior to joining Ziff Brothers, Scot was the editorial director, Business Applications & Architecture, at TechTarget. Before that, he was the director, Editorial Operations, at Ziff Davis Enterprise, While at Ziff Davis Media, he was a writer and editor at eWEEK.

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Artificial Intelligence

      9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

      Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
      AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
      Read more
      Cloud

      RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

      Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
      RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
      Read more
      Artificial Intelligence

      8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

      Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
      Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
      Read more
      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Video

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×