Network Security

• Locks are a challenge to intruders
• Time and technology render once secure systems insecure
• They are managed by humans
• Develop "Creative Paranoia"

Locks are a challenge to intruders

“Locks keep honest people out”. Locks also serve to deter casual intruders. However, many people think it is “cool” to break into computer systems, just to show it can be done. These are the ones you have to worry about. They may not cause problems, but the very existence of a pathway into your systems will not remain a secret for long.

Time and technology render once secure systems insecure

Moore’s Law predicts that computing power will double every 18 months and that costs will come down as well. What was once a prohibitive task may now be fodder for kindergarten. Remember the EFF DES Cracker - made possible by technological advances.

They are managed by humans

“...to err is human...” says it all. We know that, in any system where humans are required to follow procedures to maintain that system’s integrity, that sometimes those humans will fail and the system’s integrity will be cast into doubt.

Develop "Creative Paranoia"

By this I mean look at and consider all the ways that your system may be compromised - think like a hacker. Those systems that you need to trust should be checked for trustworthiness. Make a list of all the things that could go wrong that would result in reduced security. Make a list of all the accesses to the network. Make a list of all the software. Make list of anything else that might offend. Take all thee lists and work out how to firstly test the integrity of the system, then how to prevent any failures of integrity due to them.

Web Author: Geoff May. Last Update: 08/09/98 Copyright © 1998 by Network Business Services Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.