Introduction To Computer Security

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Introduction To Computer Security
Author: Matt Bishop
Review By: Adaera

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In the preface of this book, Mr. Bishop states that he has set out three goals for this publication. In my opinion he met and surpassed all three of these goals. Introduction To Computer Security centers on relevance to the reader's real world. Mr. Bishop has shown in terms easily understandable to the lay reader, that anyone who works with computers needs to be aware of basic security practices, and why. He clearly conveys the truth and practicality of the theory and practice necessary to implement good computer security.

Mr. Bishop goes into great detail to explain the theory and practice of computer security, and even though this book is meant to be a course textbook, Mr. Bishop does not lose the reader's interest like so many other technical manuals on the market. While technical terminology is inescapable for a work such as this, almost anyone can easily learn and use the basics Mr. Bishop discusses.

As a network owner who, with the help of a very capable server administrator, has stood up to distributed denial of service attacks for extended periods of time, I know first hand the importance of a secure network. Network owners and administrators, through a burden of responsibility to their users, need to be able to attain a secure working environment on the network. Mr. Bishop's inclusion of simple, well-labelled diagrams and tutorial exercises at the end of each chapter help the reader to gauge his or her understanding of the material covered.

Admittedly some of the material covered in this book was far beyond my technical experience, but I was able to at least gain a greater understanding of the theory behind the practice of computer security. I also enjoyed the Shakespearean quotes which opened every chapter. Mr. Bishop successfully tied the past to the present in a way that many readers could enjoy. The several pages of bibliographical references at the end of this book are a goldmine of knowledge for anyone wishing to learn more about the world of computer security. I would highly recommend this test to anyone involved with the running of a network big or small, and it should be mandatory reading for anyone seeking a career in network administration.