[Squeak-e] [CSL Colloq] The Skynet Virus * 4:15PM, Wed Nov 12, 2003 in Gates B03

[by way of "Mark S. Miller" <markm at caplet.com>]

              COMPUTER SYSTEMS LABORATORY COLLOQUIUM             
                 4:15PM, Wednesday, Nov 12, 2003                
       NEC Auditorium, Gates Computer Science Building B03       
                   http://ee380.stanford.edu[1]                  
                                                                 
Topic:    The Skynet Virus
          Why It Is Unstoppable, How To Stop It

Speaker:  Marc Stiegler
          Hewlett Packard

About the talk:

In Terminator 3, the SkyNet AI distributes itself globally,
becoming invulnerable to destruction, by exploiting the
fundamental failure of computer security. it then destroys the
world when it gains control of America's nuclear missiles. While
this is a considerably more serious disaster than any wrought so
far by cyber-crackers, cyber-terrorists, or cyber-warriors, the
flaws that make SkyNet unstoppable are the same flaws that make
crackers, terrorists, and warriors possible. The same fix that
eliminates crackers can terminate the Terminators.

This presentation starts by examining in detail the fundamental
flaw in computer security today--the ludicrously excessive
authority granted to even silly programs like Barbie Fashion
Designer. We go on to see how the Principle of Least Authority
(also known as the Principle of Least Privilege), once
ubiquitously applied, can end the madness while simultaneously
making the user interface to security simpler than it is today.

About the speaker:

Mr. Stiegler is currently a Visiting Scholar at Hewlett-Packard.
Previous to this appointment, as COO of Combex Inc., Mr. Stiegler
led a DARPA research contract to build a working prototype of a
capability secure desktop that is invulnerable to traditional
computer viruses and trojan horses. Mr. Stiegler designed and
implemented the application launch framework for the desktop,
developing new forms of user interface/security integration that
allow people to safely use even virus-ridden applications without
having to work with even the normal litany of foolish security
dialog boxes, passwords, and certificates. This desktop was later
demonstrated in Mr. Stiegler's presentation, "Exploiting
Virus-Laden Software", for the O'Reilly Emerging Technology
Conference in 2002.

Highlights of Stiegler's earlier works include serving as VP of
Engineering for Autodesk, and winning the Software Publisher's
Association Best New Business Software Award for DecideRight in
1996.His sf novel Earthweb depicts a future in which a mature
Web, with advanced features such as bidirectional links and idea
futures, becomes the underpinning fabric of global society.

Contact information:

Marc Stiegler
Hewlett-Packard
Palo Alto, Ca
928-279-6869
marcs at skyhunter.com[2]


Embedded Links:
[ 1 ]    http://ee380.stanford.edu
[ 2 ]    marcs at skyhunter.com