Is Security a Priority?

On this general subject of future strategies, it was interesting to see the approach put forward by NIST's top cybersecurity scientist Ron Ross to the Presidents' Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity. He presented similar views to other security authorities like ex-NSA Technical Director Brian Snow who has been advocating a return to basics for several years. See his paper We Need Assurance for example. However, Brian doesn't just point to problems. In his latest White Paper co-authored with Synaptic Laboratories Ltd., (collaborators with Intel PSG on soft IP security solutions for Altera devices) he points out how easy it is to increase security in programmable computing devices. These devices are everywhere, and we can all benefit from FPGA products and systems starting to use the security solutions that have become available, some free inside the device from the manufacturer, some as soft IP that is very low cost and low effort to employ. New solutions are steadily coming forward that address the viability / cost barriers. Step by step we move ahead. You can download that White Paper and some of Brian Snow's other relevant publications from this webpage: https://www.s1licon.com/safety-... . I think the key message goes like this. We all want to be able to depend more upon the products and systems our lifestyles depend upon. We deserve that. Large companies especially have known about the accumulating security risks and turned a blind eye for many years. I think it is reaching a point where more and more consumers will soon be asking "Where is and how was the security built in, from the ground up, in this product you are trying to sell me?" People do want to feel that they are contributing positively towards the future when they buy a product. I certainly do. Companies without a good answer will get less and less support. Companies with a poor security track record (those that put profits ahead of building security into their products properly) have some time to adjust their game and still be part of that positive future.