What we really need is better hardware and software architectures that allow better security. We are currently building computers like we built cars in the early 1900s. No seat belts, let alone air bags. This will change, but I am afraid we will have to endure a few (or many) disasters before we decide to take the time and money to build in user-friendly but effective security.
Predictor: Hoffman, Lance
Prediction, in context:Lance Hoffman, a computer security expert, visited in a real-time chat on HotWired March 28, 1995, while at the annual Computers, Freedom and Privacy conference. At the time, he was also in the midst of a publicity tour for his book “Building in Big Brother.” Hoffman says: ”I am very leery of ‘banning’ release of any information, since that slides you down a slippery slope very fast to eradicating freedom of speech. What we really need is better hardware and software architectures that allow better security. We are currently building computers like we built cars in the early 1900s. No seat belts, let alone air bags. This will change, but I am afraid we will have to endure a few (or many) disasters before we decide to take the time and money to build in user-friendly but effective security.”
Biography:Lance Hoffman, a professor at George Washington University, was a security expert and the author of the 1994 National Science Foundation paper “Civilizing Cyberspace: Priority Policy Issues in a National Information Infrastructure” in addition to many other research pieces in the 1990s. He wrote the book “Rogue Programs: Viruses, Worms and Trojan Horses” (Van Nostrand Rheinhold, 1990). (Research Scientist/Illuminator.)
Date of prediction: March 28, 1995
Topic of prediction: Communication
Subtopic: Security/Encryption
Name of publication: Hot Wired
Title, headline, chapter name: None
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://hotwired.lycos.com/talk/club/special/transcripts/95-03-28.hoffman.html
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Johnson, Kathleen