RE: Undesired...etc. WHAT WILL SAVE US???

[Lee, Dana-Renee]

Chill out!

-----Original Message-----
From: Larry Paul [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Thursday, December 14, 2000 3:49 AM
To: firewalls_list
Subject: Re: Undesired...etc. WHAT WILL SAVE US???

WE ARE DOOMED!!!!!    (I don't think so.)

We are upset, inconvenienced, mad, pissed off, sorry because we lost data, lost money, lost time, lost _____?

BUT....We are not doomed!

What will save us?  I believe 5 things will save us.

1. Speed

If you have enough speed & bandwidth that you don't care how much backgroung checking is going on, you wont care that it IS going on.  We will have ten gigabit multi-processors on the desktop in five years.  We will have ten gigabit over copper to the desktop in two years. (& one gigabit wireless)

2. Artificial Intelligence

Computers & software are borderline too complex for people to understand now.  There are NASA programs that NO one individual understands their full capability only teams of people.  AI is only a measure of complexity.  AI will watch your computer.  It is already being used in some of the more advanced security suites.  It will know EVERY memory location & EVERY executable op code & where it could go to execute.  It will be able to compare ANY code segment to 5 million known executables. (including all commercial software & all known malware)  If its not known, it doesn't run without high level permission.

3. Cost.

In the same way that it costs too much to build a machine to break 4096 bit data encription, it will cost too much for hackers to break security on the "new" machines.

4. Statistics.

 If a machine can NEVER be 100% secure (a true statement) you will be satisfied with a 99.99999% secure machine.  There will be 500 million people on the internet & 50 people a year will be compromised.  Like the widebeast, you will know it will always be the "other guy" & not you that gets hit. (statistically)

5. Terminals.

We will go back to dumb (semi-smart?) terminals in the corporate environment.  ALL processing power will be physically secured &  at the desktop will only be a keyboard & monitor.

 

Right now we have to do the best we can.  We are getting better every year.  Firewalls, ALG's, IDS's, AV suites are all getting more sophisticated & more reliable.  We MUST keep educating users.  It WILL happen.  How soon is in no small measure up to us.