request from an old friend

[David Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>]

RAND is conducting a study to establish the security dimensions and
policy aspects of the extensive computer networking that is so clearly a
significant part of the country's future.  To this end, we would like to
assemble the best possible picture of the threat situation as it now exists;
e.g., such things as malicious events, attempted or actual system
penetrations, consequences of penetrations, attempted penetrations that
have been fended off, technical details of penetrations.  To put it
differently, we'd like to characterize the present and actual threat
against computer systems as accurately as possible, both quantitatively
and qualitatively.


We are contacting friends and organizations that might have data that
can be shared or can point us to data which would be useful.  If you do
have something that could contribute to our study and it is sensitive
or you wish it to be held as sensitive, RAND can accept classified
information through top secret and RAND is also prepared to protect
proprietary and other sensitive materials with the full protection
accorded defense classified items.  We will not publish sensitive
information without permission of the originator and any documents based
on it will be so marked and controlled accordingly.  We will give full
credit to data sources, unless you would wish it otherwise.


This is a preliminary query to see what might be available from your
organization or from you personally.  We can arrange details and
conditions in subsequent correspondence.


Thanks you for your co-operation and I look forward to hearing from you.


                                        Willis H. Ware
                                        RAND
                                        Santa Monica, CA