encrypted tapes (was Re: Papers about "Algorithm hiding" ?)

[Mark Allen Earnest]

Steven M. Bellovin wrote:
  > The bigger issue, though, is more subtle: keeping track of the keys is
> non-trivial.  These need to be backed up, too, and kept separate from 
> (but synchronized with) the tapes.  Worse yet, they need to be kept 
> secure.  That may mean storing the keys with a different escrow 
> company.  A loss of either piece,the tape or the key, renders the 
> backup useless.  

Basically, expensive or not, security is very hard to get right. When 
you look at Choicepoint, Bank of America, and Citigroup (not to mention 
universities and smaller businesses) they have little to no incentive to 
keep your personal data secure. YOU bear the cost of data compromise, 
not them. The worst they get is some bad publicity and only if it 
affects CA residents, otherwise it can be kept quiet. The threat of bad 
publicity does not mean much when next week your compromise due to bad 
security will be forgotten as the media switches to the next one.

As it stands today, the cost/benefit analysis easily directs them away 
from taking strong measures to protect customer's financial data. Doing 
so is time consuming, opens up potential for problems, and gets them 
next to nothing in return.

-- 

Mark Allen Earnest

Lead Systems Programmer
Emerging Technologies
The Pennsylvania State University

Lt Commander
Centre County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue

KB3LYB
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