Fixing Security Issue Isn't Always the Right Answer

Trailrunner7 writes "In a column on Threatpost, Bruce Schneier writes that the recent security breach at Newark Airport shows that fixing a given security problem isn't always the right move. 'An unidentified man breached airport security at Newark Airport on Sunday, walking into the secured area through the exit, prompting an evacuation of a terminal and flight delays that continued into the next day. This problem isn't common, but it happens regularly. The result is always the same, and it's not obvious that fixing the problem is the right solution. American airports can do more to secure against this risk, but I'm reasonably sure it's not worth it. We could double the guards to reduce the risk of inattentiveness, and redesign the airports to make this kind of thing less likely, but that's an expensive solution to an already rare problem. As much as I don't like saying it, the smartest thing is probably to live with this occasional but major inconvenience.'"

Comments

It's all relative

[Locke2005]

Compared to comets striking the earth and causing global extinction events, I'd say showing up every 75 years IS a pretty comment occurence!

Bruce, you're out of your comfort zone

[Locke2005]

Since when does being an expert on digital communications security automatically qualify you as an expert on passenger screening? Unfortunately, unlike data packets, passengers don't behave according to logical rules.

Re:The whole thing is nuts

[VJ42]

There's this small thing called due process that you seem to be overlooking. Indeed, the suspect hasn't actually been found guilty yet; good luck finding an impartial jury though, so much of this should have been kept sub judace.