This was an interesting article to look at. Bruce Schneier, who is supposedly a very outspoken security guru, questions the purpose of the security industry by stating it only encourages companies to produce insecure software. I must say I would have to disagree with that. When it comes to business, everyone is going to want the first-mover advantage, no matter what. To get this advantage, shortcuts on the developer’s half have to be made, such as spending less time testing and not having to fully worry about securing their software. The security industry cleans up this mess. So, the way I see it, even if you take away the security industry, businesses will not change because of competition.

Outspoken author and security guru Bruce Schneier has questioned the very existence of the security industry, suggesting it merely indicates the willingness of other technology companies to ship insecure software and hardware.Speaking this week at Infosecurity Europe 2007, a leading trade show for the security industry, Schneier said, “the fact this show even exists is a problem. You should not have to come to this show ever.”

“We shouldn’t have to come and find a company to secure our e-mail. E-mail should already be secure. We shouldn’t have to buy from somebody to secure our network or servers. Our networks and servers should already be secure.”

Schneier, chief technology officer at BT Counterpane, said his own company was bought by BT Group last year because the U.K. telecommunications giant realized the need for security to be part of any service, not an add-on at additional cost and inconvenience to the user.[more]

Tags: Computer Protection