I spotted this AP Wire story on encryption and it seemed appropriate for the class. It presents the sometimes controversial views of Bruce Schneier, “a geeky computer encryption expert turned all-purpose security guru,” according to AP. Schneier notes:
While encryption has its place – it is what secures Web-based banking and shopping – Schneier realized that too often it was deployed in silly ways. For example, some companies let employees unlock encrypted files with simple passwords, which often ended up being easy to steal or guess. In other words, all the technical sophistication in the world can lock data from prying eyes, but if people leave the keys in the open, not much security results.
I think it is wise to question whether all the best technology can compensate for all the worst in human nature.
