Suggestions
Chapter 10 of Esther Dyson's book "A Design for Living in the Digital Age: Release 2.0" is concerned with the issue of security. She gives brief descriptions of several tools that aid in security such as challenge-and-response, encryption, and firewalls, but notes that these are useless if they are not used correctly. Most security risks come from within,---from coworkers, fired workers, trusted customers, consultants, anyone with access. Giving both the pros and cons of the development of encryption technology, she gives her view that "governments should allow and even encourage use of strong enrcyption technology." She gives suggestions on how we can build a secure Internet environment without an excess of government regulations; and how to create a corporate market for security. Dyson concludes with a simple observation: "Overall, it comes down to human judgement. The greatest challenge in security is not keeping people out, but determining which people to keep out.
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Q: Name one thing you found interesting about this chapter and why? (Carolyn Agmata)
A: One thing which I found interesting was Dyson's point that breaches in security don't happen on the Internet, they happen at either end of an Internet connection, where an intruder gets in or some information gets out.
Q: Why is security such a big issue? (Corey Egami)
A: Security is a big issue because of the money involved. Some surveys estimate that 100's of millions of dollars have been spent on liability for lost data, business interactions, fraud, lost work time, release of damaging information, etc.
Q: Why would the government want to limit the use of encryption, despite its major advantages? (Val Iinuma)
A: So that criminals could not use it to protect their interactions over the Internet.
Q: Do you support government restriction on encryption technology? Why? What are firewalls? (Dr. James)
A: I don't support government restrictions on encryption technology. It is an entirely defensive tool which protects information and privacy. As Dyson points out, if government restricts encryption technology, "criminals will figure out a way to develop encryption for their own purposes, but the rest of society will lose the benefit of using encryption to protect themselves." A firewall is a pair of mechanisms: one which exists to block traffic, and the other which exists to permit traffic. Some firewalls place a greater emphasis on blocking traffic, while others emphasize permitting traffic.
Q: What reasons would the government want to keep down encryption development? (Craig Kawamura)
A: So that criminals could not use it to protect their interactions over the Internet.
Q: How much protection does encryption offer? (Hyechin Kim)
A: Encryption is a very effective tool if used correctly. It depends on a public key, which is available to anyone; and a private key that isn't. When combined they create a code which, if long enough, is very secure.
Q: A false image of anonymity results in loss of security. Besides safety, violation, and loss of control, why do you think people value security so highly? (Wilfred Lee)
A: People value security so highly because it is a threat to their privacy and because prevention (encryption, firewalls, etc.) is cheaper than dealing with breaches in security which may cost much more.
Q: Are there paid people to work on encryption or can the everyday user work on it with the proper software? (Sheri Lieberman)
A: With the correct software, anyone can do it.
Q: How concerned should the general public be about security technology? (Jocelyn Manibusan)
A: You only need to be concerned about security technology if you are going to be using it.
Q: What do you think is the best way to give security on the Internet? (Evelyn Moss)
A: The best way to assure security on the Internet is to use security devices, and more importantly, to use them correctly.
Q: What do you think is the greatest threat to Security? (Russ Muramatsu)
A: Some of the biggest threats to security include the liability for lost data, business interuptions, fraud,, and release of damaging information.
Q: In your opinion, do you believe encryption devices, firewalls etc. really restrict people from gathering information? (Albert Ne
A: If they are used correctly they can be very effective in the protection of information.
Q: How could criminals use encryption for gain? (George Pederson)
A: The only way criminals could benefit by the use of encryption is by the privacy and protection it offers. As Dyson said, "Encryption is one of very few technologies that do not have a destructive downside. The worst it can do is protect criminals."
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I felt very confident in giving this oral presentation because I was well prepared to discuss the concepts found in this chapter. The most important you can do to deal with the nervousness that comes with giving an oral presentation is to be well prepared. This way, if someone asks a question, you are prepared to answer it and you don't get flustered.
The most important part of an oral presentation is the preparation. If you are knowledgeable in the subject matter, and are prepared to answer questions, you will have confidence in the delivery of your presentation. A good idea is to think of questions which the class and Dr. James might ask, then look through the book or other sources for the answers. This way you are prepared not only to give your presentation, but also to answer any questions that get thrown at you.
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