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

  • Less Communication May Be More Communicative
    Less Communication May Be More Communicative

    Leadership Moment: Submerging Your Voice If you were on any part of the Internet last week, you probably heard about the lost OceanGate submersible. As with almost any ongoing newsworthy event, there were a lot of opinions, as people across the Internet engaged in the roleplaying game of “being an instant expert on a complex… Read this …

  • There are no micro-aggressions
    There are no micro-aggressions

    I’m reminded that unintentional exclusion can still perpetuate harm. When I couldn’t attend a conference due to a Jewish holiday, the organizer’s response, “That sucks for us,” initially angered me. But I realized it was a lack of awareness, not malice. Micro-inclusions matter too. Read this …

  • A broken clock doesn’t fix itself
    A broken clock doesn’t fix itself

    Leadership Moment: A Critique Last week, I delivered the first public version of my new keynote (title in flux, but tentatively named Stop Destroying Value: Six Leadership Disciplines). When I give a talk, I’m not following a script, so some of my comments are more off-the-cuff than others. Sometimes, I take a great concept, and… Read this …

Fiction