First, to paraphrase an old drill sergeant: If you are not reading John Robb’s blog you’re wrong.

His article in Fast Company makes a strong case for a future world where asymmetry plays an increasingly important role in both defense and offense from the national to the personal level. I don’t know about you but I was struck by certain similarities to Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash (dystopian, balkanized infrastructure, privatization of critical functions). About the only thing missing was the rise of Gargoyles, which given the near ubiquity of IP-enabled devices, RSS, and the growing persistance of metro-area wireless broadband, are probably not far off.

I am a strong proponent of spending your own money on only one computer security book: The Cuckoo’s Egg (get work to pay for the technical stuff). There are few security ideas since its publication that are truly original. I’m going to have to start considering adding Snow Crash to the list of books worth your hard earned cash.

Update: I change my mind – the Gargoyles have arrived.

About the Author

Michael Tanji

Michael Tanji spent nearly 20 years in the US intelligence community. Trained in both SIGINT and HUMINT disciplines he has worked at the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the National Reconnaissance Office. At various points in his career he served as an expert in information warfare, computer network operations, computer forensics, and indications and warning. A veteran of the US Army, Michael has served in both strategic and tactical assignments in the Pacific Theater, the Balkans, and the Middle East.