Lack of Security

Thu Sep 13 02:07:33 UTC 2001

At 09:42 PM 9/12/2001, Robert Hough wrote:
>The security we display in most aspects of our society echo the same
>security we display in most of our networks as well.
>
>Now ask yourself, why was it so easy to hijack these planes? Because we
>have sacrificed security for convenience - and our enemy used that
>against us. Well, something to chew on. G'Night.

Can someone explain to me how only allowing ticketed passengers past 
security checkpoints is going to accomplish anything toward increased 
security?  The only thing I can even dream of is that it will reduce the 
number of people passing the checkpoints.

These hijackers were ticketed passengers.

No carry-on?  OK, so it will reduce hiding places for non-metallic 
weapons.  On the other hand, so much for taking your laptop with you - are 
you willing to entrust your laptop to baggage handlers?  Willing to put 
your Palm in your checked luggage?

This is just my feeling, but I honestly believe these measures are only 
giving the *appearance* of security, apparently to make the general public 
feel better.

I do agree, though, with the comments on network security - so many, many 
are much more lax about the security of their networks than airports have 
been.  As an anecdote, when I came to my current job last year, the network 
was wide open.  Since, I've placed servers behind firewalls, and blocked 
things like NetBIOS (you wouldn't believe the cry that went up from 
customers when I did that - they *want* to use NetBIOS shares between 
business offices in various cities)