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Vendors Say Data Protection Software Too Complicated To Use
jfruhlinger writes "With a series of major data breaches over the past few months, you'd think more and more companies would be investing in data protection software, which can help keep data secure even on systems that have been compromised. Unfortunately, even organizations that have paid good money for this software often don't use it, because, as one of the vendors admits, it's often too complicated to use."
It's weird that this article shows up - I've got the "Ads Disabled" option checked...
We just finished royally screwing up a database project. The database is mostly worthless because it assumes a set of non-existent processes. The business unit demanding the new database wanted better processes in place. But wouldn't define them. So the programmers had to put something in, and programmers who don't know what our business is have now defined our business processes (and poorly, of course) because the people demanding the magical database be built that fixes all their problems couldn't even be arsed to define what their problems were.
It's like having recipe software which you put recipes in, along with cooking instructions, and a robot makes the item. Then, once you have all the ingredients in, you realize you didn't have any cooking instructions. So you complain that the software doesn't have default cooking instructions programmed in that would just magically make cookies or cupcakes without you having to do all that extra work.
The problem isn't the software. It couldn't be any more user friendly. Just tell it what you want, and poof, it will pop right out. The problem is that the users can't be bothered figuring out what they want, so the software is at fault.
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Read "What To Do if Compromised", the official instructions for merchants who accept VISA cards. Sony is clearly doing some of the things VISA requires: "Do not access or alter compromised systems, i.e. don't log on at all to the compromised systems. ... Do not turn systems off. Isolate compromised systems from the network ..." Then they have to call the VISA Incident Response Manager, and the full list of compromised cards has to go to VISA, which parcels it out to the issuing banks for card cancellations and reissues.
VISA has the contractual right to send in a forensics team. VISA will assess fines up to $500,000 if VISA's security requirements haven't been met. If compromised data includes PIN numbers for debit cards, or CVV2 data for credit cards, which merchants aren't supposed to store at all, VISA sends in a Qualified Security Assessor. They check that the systems are no longer storing that data, and that all historical data of that type has been erased, before they go back on line.
Now it's clear why Sony is off line. Their actions look like what happens when a major debit card breach occurs and VISA sends in the forensics and security teams.
So there's your answer when management doesn't want to have proper security on credit card data. VISA can and will shut temporarily down your ability to accept payments. You'll have law enforcement, forensic auditors, and security experts questioning your management. Your company may have to pay sizable fines to VISA. Your CEO may have to explain the screwup to reporters.
And that's the good case. The bad case is when VISA decides you don't get to accept credit or debit cards any more, permanently. This happens routinely to screwed-up small businesses.