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What Examples of Security Theater Have You Encountered?
swillden writes "Everyone who pays any attention at all to security, both computer security and 'meatspace' security, has heard the phrase Security Theater. For years I've paid close attention to security setups that I come in contact with, and tried to evaluate their real effectiveness vs their theatrical aspects. In the process I've found many examples of pure theater, but even more cases where the security was really a cover for another motive." swillden would like to know what you've encountered along these lines; read on for the rest of his question below.
swillden continues: "Recently, a neighbor uncovered a good example. He and his wife attended a local semi-pro baseball game where security guards were checking all bags for weapons. Since his wife carries a small pistol in her purse, they were concerned that there would be a problem. They decided to try anyway, and see if her concealed weapon permit satisfied the policy. The guard looked at her gun, said nothing and passed them in, then stopped the man behind them because he had beer and snacks in his bag. Park rules prohibit outside food. It's clear what the 'security' check was really about: improving park food vending revenues.
So, what examples of pure security theater have you noticed? Even more interesting, what examples of security-as-excuse have you seen?"
So, what examples of pure security theater have you noticed? Even more interesting, what examples of security-as-excuse have you seen?"
Small snack? Cartridges are what most people who do not know any better call "bullets." The part most call a "clip", which is in fact, a magazine, could hold "some" snacks, but would probably gum up the workings to the point it would have to be taken apart, cleaned and oiled.
Nuff' said.
Slashdot needs to interview Natalie Portman.
Whoosh implies a joke. Jokes are funny. Would you consider it a joke if somebody tried to tell one about how his hard drive's CD tray kept on coming out? Or the one about how his "terminal" was blank? Sure, you may get the idea of what they are talking about, however to those who actually know better, it is not funny because they are using technical terms in an incorrect way that detracts from their intention.
The were not guarding the customers from criminals, they were guarding the food vendors from people who didn't want to pay the exorbitant prices and carried in their own food.
Anytime I've travelled through an airport in the last couple of years....
-- Mike
Uh-Oh. I guess you can get flamed now. You brought nasty facts into this humor den of hilarity.... I was called a humorless dick for making the very same comments about 40 minutes ago.
You overpaid... I got one behind the faceplate when I bought a new radio for $100 ;)
My blog. Good stuff (when I remember to update it). Read it.