Freedom of Information Act vs Homeland Security

psyki writes "Should vulnerabilities in our public infrastructure be handled like vulnerabilities in computer security? Wired has an interesting article about the state of the Freedom of Information Act, particularly how it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain documents from reluctant agencies in the security-conscious post-Sept 11 era. What really made me think, however, was this line: "While keeping information about security vulnerabilities out of terrorists' hands is a legitimate goal, McMasters believes the government is taking secrecy a step too far. In the end, he said, communities would be safer and better able to plan for their own protection if they were aware of potential security holes in power plants, airport terminals or other facilities.". Sounds an awful lot like the raging debate in the computer security community regarding publicizing vulnerabilities."

Comments

there's a difference

[Ry R.]

The difference is that FOIA covers the government while the debate about security vunerabilities is in the private sector.

The analogy is a good one but let's not confuse private industry's interest in profit with our interest in an open government.

The arguement can be made that Microsoft is so vital that it has to be as equally transparent as the government is (supposed to be). But, as influencial and omnipotent as Microsoft is, it isn't government, it is owned by Bill Gates and stock holders not a voting public.