Schneier Mulls Psychology of Security

bednarz writes "Cryptography expert Bruce Schneier says security decisions often are much less rational than one would prefer. He spoke at the RSA conference about the battle that goes on in the brain when responding to security issues. Schneier explains 'The primitive portion of the brain, called the amygdala, feels fear and incites a fear-or-flight response, he pointed out. "It's very fast, faster than consciousness. But it can be overridden by higher parts of the brain." The neocortex, which in a mammalian brain is associated with consciousness, is slower but "adaptive and flexible,"'"

Comments

Just look to government....

[Dynedain]

Too bad the Department of Homeland Security doesn't have a neocortex.

Amydala feels fear

[wumpus188]

There is always Anakin to the rescue.

Brain region for thinking about security

[cold fjord]

Most thinking about security seems to be centered in the nullcortex.

42

[ElephanTS]

Which is why "Don't Panic!" is such good advice.

It makes sense

[140Mandak262Jamuna]

From the article: There is a "feeling versus reality," Schneier said. "You can feel secure but not be secure. You can be secure but not feel secure. The primitive portion of the brain, called the amygdala, feels fear and incites a fear-or-flight response, he pointed out. "

That is why the real amygdala hides in the background pretending to be a mere attendant like the pitutary gland and communicates with a prominantly placed fake-amygdala using elaborate signals and esp communication. All these scientists have been fooled into studying the fake-amygdala. So they underestimate the real security of the brain. Let someone assassinate the fake-amygdala in a spaceport in Coruscant and suddenly you will see the real amygdala emerge from the shadows and assume the role as the rightfully elected Queen of Naboo.

Re:It makes sense

['nother poster]

Security through obscurity never works. ;)

Re:It must be said...

[powerpants]

In terms of Hamming distance, it's actually closer to "fear-of-flight," aka aviophobia. Think about it.

Oblig. joke

[Captain Splendid]

Too bad the Department of Homeland Security doesn't have a neocortex.

That's alright, they have a neoconcortex instead!

Sorry, couldn't help myself. You may now mod this post into oblivion...

Why I hate metaphors

[IthnkImParanoid]

Abstinence doesn't prevent unauthorized physical access. Besides, penetration testing is a vital part of security.

Now I need to go take a shower.