Writing

Security Blog

  • Infosec – Failing or Succeeding?
    Infosec – Failing or Succeeding?

    Noam Eppel from Vivica contends that Information Security is a complete failure, citing alarming statistics on security breaches and cybercrime. While his article highlights the risks, many dissent from his conclusion, considering it a collection of gloomy statistics often seen in security vendor pitches.

  • False Positives
    False Positives

    During my morning commute, I encountered an interesting flaw in an alerting system. My car’s weight sensor triggers an alarm if it detects a possible passenger without a seatbelt. However, this car’s system escalates from a dinging sound to a rapid alarm. My immediate thought was to disable the alarm, highlighting a common security system…

  • Sledgehammers
    Sledgehammers

    Achieving perfect data security involves elaborate measures such as encryption, one-time passwords, asymmetric identifiers, and physical access controls. However, the ultimate level of security must align with the data’s value and potential threats, avoiding the extreme sledgehammer argument while striking a balance in risk management.

  • Pseudonymity
    Pseudonymity

    Pseudonymity refers to adopting a semi-permanent, yet incomplete or false identity, commonly observed in online communities. It allows individuals to use distinctive pseudonyms to establish their unique presence while avoiding full anonymity. This practice fosters better community engagement by promoting courteous interactions. However, the challenge lies in identifying instances where a single person assumes multiple…

  • Usenix Security Symposium
    Usenix Security Symposium

    The upcoming USENIX security symposium in Vancouver during the first week of August promises an impressive lineup of invited talks. While I may not attend, I highly recommend catching Matt Blaze’s presentation on wiretapping, previously acclaimed as one of the most exceptional research talks at ICNS 2006.

  • Disclosure Laws
    Disclosure Laws

    During a recent conference, a panelist expressed their belief that the California Disclosure Law (SB-1386) was an exceedingly inadequate information security regulation. However, I hold a different perspective. In my view, SB-1386 stands as the epitome of information security regulations, surpassing even the esteemed GLBA. While most regulations focus on prescribing specific controls for safeguarding…

Leadership Newsletter

  • Mirror, Mirror, in the booth
    Mirror, Mirror, in the booth

    Leadership Moment: Looking in the (gym) mirror I spent last week at the Blackhat security conference, walking the vendor floor, taking notes about what booth designs worked (or not). I had the opportunity to chat with a number of folks, and when I commented on the lack of appeal of some of the themed booths,… Read this …

  • Don’t Flinch
    Don’t Flinch

    Leadership Moment: Getting Caught Every parent knows that there are two indicators that your child is doing something they shouldn’t. The first is when they go completely silent, to stop drawing your attention to them. The second? When you stumble across them, and they panic, trying to hide whatever they were up to. Your quick… Read this …

  • Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word
    Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word

    Leadership Moment: Fickle Elmo If you weren’t paying attention, you might have missed the brief window last week when Elmo’s Twitter account posted vile, antisemitic content. It was ostensibly an account hack, and in one sense, Sesame Street is also a victim here. But they’re a victim who then victimized a lot of people. Usually,… Read this …

Fiction