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Security By Obscurity = Ignorance Is Strength
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 15:35:05 -0400
Begin forwarded message: From: Seth Finkelstein <sethf () sethf com> Date: September 3, 2008 1:13:43 PM EDT To: David Farber <dave () farber net>, ip <ip () v2 listbox com> Subject: Security By Obscurity = Ignorance Is Strength [For IP, if worthy] IP'ers might enjoy my most recent column in the _Guardian_, which argues against attempts to issue gag orders prohibiting disclosure of security flaws: "Orwell was right: security by obscurity = ignorance is strength" http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/aug/28/security.law As specialised computer systems become more and more integrated into the utilitarian functioning of society, we will repeatedly face issues of their potential for subversion, corruption, and failure. While open disclosure of security weaknesses may seem troublesome, the alternative is to follow an Orwellian concept of "ignorance is strength". I'm hoping to popularize my coinage of describing such gag orders as "Ignorance Is Strength" (a deliberate pun on the idea of cryptographic strength). -- Seth Finkelstein Consulting Programmer http://sethf.com Infothought blog - http://sethf.com/infothought/blog/ Interview: http://sethf.com/essays/major/greplaw-interview.php ------------------------------------------- Archives: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/247/=now RSS Feed: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/247/ Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com
Current thread:
- Security By Obscurity = Ignorance Is Strength David Farber (Sep 03)
- <Possible follow-ups>
- Re: Security By Obscurity = Ignorance Is Strength David Farber (Sep 03)
- Re: Security By Obscurity = Ignorance Is Strength David Farber (Sep 03)
- Re: Security By Obscurity = Ignorance Is Strength David Farber (Sep 03)