Summary:

A leading security expert separates homeland security hype from reality How much safer are we now that we have a Department of Homeland Security? Will the department’s expanded powers and stated policies really lead to enhanced security? Many prominent security experts think not. Marcus Ranum–a consultant whose clients have included the White House, the CIA, and the Justice Department–is one of them. In this timely book, he explains, with wit and patriotism, what’s wrong with today’s homeland security policy–and what we must do now to fix it. Packed with vivid stories and examples, his book shows how current policies downplay low-tech threats and "social engineering," focus on immigration while overlooking the "nuts" already among us, ignore dangerous defects in the government’s own computer security, and are hampered by interagency bickering and corporate self-dealing. Ranum concludes each chapter with a set of carefully considered, realistic recommendations to put our homeland security back on track–and keep America safe. Marcus Ranum (Laurel, MD) is an outspoken security expert whose clients include government agencies, Sun Microsystems, the New York Stock Exchange, and Counterpane Internet Security.

Table of Contents:
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR.
IT'S ANOTHER CODE ORANGE DAY.
1. HOMELAND SECURITY: A CONVENIENT INVENTION.
2. A MULTITUDE OF MYTHS.
3. THE POLITICS OF HOMELAND SECURITY.
4. THE HOMELAND SECURITY SHUFFLE.
5. RUNNING FOR THE BORDER: IMMIGRATION.
6. AIRLINE INSECURITY.
7. IRRESISTIBLE F O R C E VERSUS INSCRUTABLE OBJECT.
8. THE MEDIA: DISASTER DU JOUR.
9. THE ELECTRONIC PEARL HARBOR.
10. IT, AMERICAN STYLE.
11. THE BUSINESS OF COMPUTER SECURITY.
12. THE PRICE TAG OF FEAR.
INDEX.