TSA gets Bruce Schneier "uninvited" to hearings

denverpilot

denverpilot

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TSA pressures Congress to "uninvite" Bruce Schneier, renowned security expert and outspoken TSA critic from hearings. http://bit.ly/GV68w6

(For those unaware, Schneier coined the term "security theater" many years ago and writes prolifically and intelligently on the subject of true vs. perceived 'security'. His original book, "Secrets and Lies" should be required reading for anyone involved in computer/network security.)
 
denverpilot said:
TSA pressures Congress to "uninvite" Bruce Schneier, renowned security expert and outspoken TSA critic from hearings. http://bit.ly/GV68w6

(For those unaware, Schneier coined the term "security theater" many years ago and writes prolifically and intelligently on the subject of true vs. perceived 'security'. His original book, "Secrets and Lies" should be required reading for anyone involved in computer/network security.)
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Protest logged with both Senator's and my Congressman. I don't expect it to amount to much, but I now feel that I can complain all I want ...
 
From what I've read, they dismissed him because he's actively involved in a lawsuit against the TSA and so was ineligible as a 'hostile witness.'
 
bluesky74656 said:
From what I've read, they dismissed him because he's actively involved in a lawsuit against the TSA and so was ineligible as a 'hostile witness.'
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That's just the excuse. There's no requirement for that.

Is TSA to be considered the opposite, sitting there drooling over getting a nice fat check to operate the next year?

Congress should be hearing both sides, period.

If one of the world's experts in what TSA is doing WRONG is banned because he also is suing to stop it, that's just wrong.

My note to my Congresscritter is sent... told him it stinks like the Committee is covering up something. Or a lot of somethings...
 
denverpilot said:
If one of the world's experts in what TSA is doing WRONG is banned because he also is suing to stop it, that's just wrong.
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While I'm opposed to the TSA and all it stands for, consider this:

I have Bruce Schneier's book "Applied Cryptography" (2nd edition) on my bookshelf and have read a good portion of it - and while he is a bright guy - the bio on the book says only that his consulting firm specializes in cryptography and computer security and that he lectures on cryptography, computer security, and privacy. Almost none of that expertise would seem to carry over to securing airline transportation from terrorist attacks.
 
You have to go to his book "Secrets and Lies" to see how it all interrelates to "Security".
 
Jim Logajan said:
While I'm opposed to the TSA and all it stands for, consider this:

I have Bruce Schneier's book "Applied Cryptography" (2nd edition) on my bookshelf and have read a good portion of it - and while he is a bright guy - the bio on the book says only that his consulting firm specializes in cryptography and computer security and that he lectures on cryptography, computer security, and privacy. Almost none of that expertise would seem to carry over to securing airline transportation from terrorist attacks.
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It might if he understands the concept of security measures appropriate to the risk.
 
Computer security professionals end up knowing pretty much the whole gamut
Personnel Security
Physical Security
Risk Management
Audit
Access Control (the traditional "computer security")
and more

Conversely, I've had conversation with other security Pros who aren't geeks and they understand the principles that apply to IT as well too.

Bruce's complaint is always that the stuff that TSA does doesn't really "fix" the problems they are applying it to, at least not in any way that's remotely cost-effective. He does acknowledge that there are significant political/cultural barriers to some effective techniques (interviewing and profiling) in this country.
 
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