Nathaniel Gleicher Quotes
Data leaks are impossible to reverse, so the best strategy is to prevent intruders from having prolonged, unfettered access to the systems in the first place.
Commentary, "Hacks and the asymmetry of disclosure", FCW, August 30, 2016
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
Many computer experts and security operatives view this kind of advice and strategy as counter-productive as there are some computer security extremists who so harden computer systems and networks that they function poorly and cause really harmful operational problems. The classic case was the FBI agent in Minnesota who before 9-11 had information that Muslims foreigners were taking flying lessons. She wanted to get the information to the national security FBI people, but she was not allowed to send the information by e-mail. Instead she had to use a "secure" system that was much slower and could not be viewed by the people who might have been able to connect the dots and do something about it. The FBI has now a better balance between functionality and security, but it is a good example of how "security fanaticism" can make us less safe.
Director for Cybersecurity Policy for the National Security Council (NSC)