Trust in Cyberspace [Hardcover]

Committee on Information Systems Trustworthiness (Author), Mathematics, and Applications Commission on Physical Sciences (Author), National Research Council (Author), Fred B. Schneider (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 8, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0309065585 | ISBN-13: 978-0309065580 | Edition: 1

Whether or not you use a computer, you probably use a telephone, electric power, and a bank. Although you may not be aware of their presence, networked computer systems are increasingly becoming an integral part of your daily life. Yet, if such systems perform poorly or don't work at all, then they can put life, liberty, and property at tremendous risk. Is the trust that we - as individuals and as a society - are placing in networked computer systems justified? And if it isn't, what can we do to make such systems more trustworthy? This book provides an assessment of the current state of the art procedures for building trustworthy networked information systems. It proposes directions for research in computer and network security, software technology, and system architecture. In addition, the book assesses current technical and market trends in order to better inform public policy as to where progress is likely and where incentives could help." Trust in Cyberspace" offers insights into: the strengths and vulnerabilities of the telephone network and Internet, the two likely building blocks of any networked information system; the interplay between various dimensions of trustworthiness; and environmental disruption, operator error, 'buggy' software, and hostile attack.It also offers insights into: the implications for trustworthiness of anticipated developments in hardware and software technology, including the consequences of mobile code; the shifts in security technology and research resulting from replacing centralized mainframes with networks of computers; the heightened concern for integrity and availability where once only secrecy mattered; and, the way in which federal research funding levels and practices have affected the evolution and current state of the science and technology base in this area. You will want to read this book if your life is touched in any way by computers or telecommunications. But then, whose life isn't?

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Whether or not you use a computer, you probably use a telephone, electric power, and a bank. Although you may not be aware of their presence, networked computer systems are increasingly becoming an integral part of your daily life. Yet, if such systems perform poorly or don't work at all, then they can put life, liberty, and property at tremendous risk. Is the trust that we--as individuals and as a society--are placing in networked computer systems justified? And if it isn't, what can we do to make such systems more trustworthy?

This book provides an assessment of the current state of the art procedures for building trustworthy networked information systems. It proposes directions for research in computer and network security, software technology, and system architecture. In addition, the book assesses current technical and market trends in order to better inform public policy as to where progress is likely and where incentives could help. Trust in Cyberspace offers insights into:

--The strengths and vulnerabilities of the telephone network and Internet, the two likely building blocks of any networked information system.
--The interplay between various dimensions of trustworthiness: environmental disruption, operator error, "buggy" software, and hostile attack.
--The implications for trustworthiness of anticipated developments in hardware and software technology, including the consequences of mobile code.
--The shifts in security technology and research resulting from replacing centralized mainframes with networks of computers.
--The heightened concern for integrity and availability where once only secrecy mattered.
--The way in which federal research funding levels and practices have affected the evolution and current state of the science and technology base in this area.

You will want to read this book if your life is touched in any way by computers or telecommunications. But then, whose life isn't?

About the Author

Fred B. Schneider, Editor, Committee on Information Systems Trustworthiness, Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Applications, National Research Council

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: National Academies Press; 1 edition (January 8, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0309065585
• ISBN-13: 978-0309065580
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,799,035 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME!, September 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Trust in Cyberspace (Hardcover)

Schneider's superb skills as an editor make "Trust in Cyberspace" a joy to read. I particularly liked the part about system architecture - very exciting stuff. This book should be on every CIO's shelf! I don't want to spoil the ending, but WOW it was something else!