The Problem with Security

Bring up the word “Security” with indigenous leaders in these countries and they may or may not understand what you’re talking about. They already live an a risk laden environment. Why should they be careful with technology?

Bring up “Security” with expats and they totally get it - to the point of being paralyzed.  Is the NSA watching, is the FSB watching? What about phones, what about email?  Security is a show stopper rather than an enabler.

Bring up “Security” with executives and they see a black hole for resources with little to show for it - but security sounds important.

The problem with all these attitudes towards security is that they deny the inherent uncertainties of security.  In trying to obtain absolute guarantees, they give up on any kind of balance or nuance. Security requires both understanding (wisdom), and an acceptance of risk (courage).

Wisdom: with a little help, the complexities of security can, in fact, be understood.  The adversary’s cost structures can work to your advantage. Tradeoffs between cost, convenience, and security can be made with informed judgement.  Wisdom is exactly this art of turning understanding into prudent behavior.

Courage: nothing in this world is guaranteed. Putting vague fears into a framework of understanding can help, but at the end of the day, it is you that need to step out and make a difference.

This blog is my stab at helping you understand the world of cyber security so you can step out and meet the world’s needs with confidence.

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“Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.” - Theodore Roosevelt

Live well!

.. To be continued ..