Splunk 2013: Top enterprise cyber security 'appalling' - former NSA CIO/CTO
Former National Security Agency (NSA) CIO and CTO Dr Prescott Winter believes that many large organisations don't know what they're doing when it comes to cyber security and as a result defences against hackers and cyber attacks are "appalling".
Winter, who spent 27 years at the NSA and is now managing director of security services firm The Chertoff Group, made the comments as part of his keynote at Splunk Worldwide User's Conference 2013 in Las Vegas. He used the keynote to discuss how big data is changing cyber security.
He warned that there's still a long way to go in the fight against hackers and cyber criminals, even among top businesses, many of which, he told the audience, still leave themselves vulnerable to attack because of poor security practices.
With the convenience of technology in modern day society, data security (at various levels) is often overlooked if not properly maintained. Taking ownership and accountability in ensuring such comes from not only the companies who procure said data, but also from the individuals providing said data. To go on an extreme, George Orwell's "1984" does come to mind, so for the "best security"; one might as well become completely "unplugged and off grid" from modern technology (e.g., the internet, smartphones).
Becoming better educated and knowledgable about such though is the first step for anyone and everyone to improve on data security. Do not take such for granted out of ignorance. Own up and become accountable.
Crawford Rainwater, Blogger @ Open Health News and CEO & President, The Linux ETC Company
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