Here at Symantec, one of our beliefs is that keeping people safe online requires more than just a knowledge of technology. It requires a knowledge of how people - both good guys and bad guys - actually use technology. It also requires an understanding of how people view technology and safety. It requires the ability to communicate different types of ideas to a wide variety of people; from teenaged users to the CFO, from the college educator to the data entry operator. It's a huge job and I was just reflecting today on how very fortunate I am to be working within a group that not only sees the value of the multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary approaches, but one that actively supports and encourages it.
This week will find me at the Santa Fe Institute. Wednesday morning kicks off with the Adaptive and Resilient Computing Workshop, and if last year's workshop is any indicator, this one should be very interesting indeed. Meeting with colleagues who work outside the computer security space is extremely informative and helps us to prepare for the many new faces of computing. Although, that only makes sense if you know ahead of time where some technologies are likely to exist and only then can you begin to shape ideas on how you might protect the assets those technologies hold.
For example, let's say that within the next two years, all deep water canals in the state of Florida will be protected against alligator infestation by computerized swimming sharks that work together to form a sort of "canal IDS." We need to make sure the sharks stay up and running to keep those annoying alligators away...
"People behind the programs" is a topic that has held public interest for many years now. Although, when it comes right down to it, the people behind most of the programs have been the same sort for decades. Yes, it's true that the risk of identity theft is growing. And, it's also true that risks from phishing have increased. And, it is undeniably true that bots are a huge problem, and they weren't twenty years ago.
So, how can I say that the types of people behind most of the programs has not changed in over two decades? Easy. It's true. "But, how can this be?" you ask.
