[IP] more on Editors observations on Home Land security andindustry

[Dave Farber <dave@farber.net>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: "Joseph C. Pistritto" <jcp@jcphome.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Oct 2002 00:39:18 -0700
To: dave@farber.net
Subject: Re: <[IP]> Editors observations on Home Land security andindustry

well out here, people are hiring people in computer security (its one of the
few areas that *is* hiring).  However there's a lot of such people out of
work too.  Not enough hiring to clear the backlog.  I think most companies
out here believe they are secure as well though, at least from the people i
know inside them.   There is more awareness of security risks now though,
which is probably good, however its not turning into improved "process" and
technology very quickly.  While not strictly a security issue, the disaster
last week at UU.NET points out just how something bad could happen that
knocks a lot of people off the air, especially in the land of lay-offs so
there aren't many people to pick up the pieces when something bad happens.

By the way, I think "hidden" unemployment rate in the Valley is at least
2-3x the "official" rate of around 7%.   I'm counted in the "official" rate
because I actually filed for unemployment benefits.   But almost *everyone*
I know that's out of work has *not* done so, because of one of:  1) they
dont know how (and it seems vaguely mystifying to them, even if its actually
EASY to do here in California).
2) they dont want to admit they're actually not "consulting"...  And at
least half the people I meet at SF Wireless meetings and such are
unemployed...

For most everyone, this is the first time they've ever been unemployed in
their lives. (I had only been unemployed for one 3 week period in 1983
before this year, when i'll probably end up being unemployed for almost the
entire year.)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Farber" <dave@farber.net>
To: "ip" <ip@v2.listbox.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002 4:55 PM
Subject: <[IP]> Editors observations on Home Land security andindustry


> I have had several opportunities to attend industrial oriented meetings on
> home land security and cyber-security. I hear statements from government
on
> how critical it is to defend our cyber and infrastructure security and how
> they count on industrial cooperation and leadership.
>
> Then I hear that 90 some odd % of industry polled feels that they are
> invulnerable to attack.
>
> In the NY metropolitan area, the home of our financial  and banking
industry
> -- a prime target for cyber attack, a large number of people trained in
> computer security are out of jobs. The downsizing of the banks and
financial
> companies has resulted in them terminating these "non mainstream"
technical
> computer people. These folks are walking the street.
>
> Do I see a serious problem facing us. Yup. The strong interest I saw from
> industry was to corral government contracts.
>
> I am afraid that if we want a secure cyber-structure it will take strong
> pressure from the government via regulations and procurement and soon, if
we
> are to have the technical talent to implement them.
>
> All to much of industry is chasing the next quarters earnings and stock
> prices and damn the future.
>
> Comments?
>
> Dave
>
>
>
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