New book by Bruce Schneier

Bruce Schneier, computer security expert, CTO and founder of Counterpane Internet Security, Inc., has written a new book specifically for corporate managers. Secrets and Lies: Digital Security in a Networked World is a practical, straightforward guide to understanding and achieving security throughout computer networks. Schneier draws on his extensive field experience to dispel myths as well as help business executives assess corporate security risks to choose the right solutions and implement the right processes.

"Protecting information has become increasingly difficult in the digital world. Teen-aged hackers have compromised the security of the U.S. State Department's web site and, in so doing, have proven that gaining access to personal passwords and other `secure' information is far easier than many could have ever anticipated," says Schneier.

Secrets and Lies offers strategies and solutions that will yield secure company results. This practical guide covers:

-- Digital threats and attacks that managers must understand
-- Security products and processes currently available
-- Limitations of technology
-- Steps involved in product testing to discover security flaws
-- Technologies to watch over the next few years
-- Assessing a company's risks
-- Implementation of security policies and countermeasures

"This work provides a unique understanding of the digital age and is a handbook for understanding business problems and challenges. This book should be--and can be--read by any business executive. No specialty in security is required...we spent millions of dollars to understand what Bruce Schneier has deftly explained in his new book," said Jay S. Walker, founder of priceline.com and chairman of Walker Digital.

Secrets and Lies offers real guidance and discusses in detail why security must be thought of as a system within larger systems. Although much has been accomplished on the theory of cryptography, firewalls, intrusion detection, and biometrics, many systems fielded with great theory still fail in practice. The real world is far too complicated for any theory to encompass. This means that design trade-offs, unseen variables, and imperfect implementations must be considered.

"Security should no longer be the sole purview of cryptoanalysts. Unless management understands fundamental security issues and deploys proactive measures to protect corporate information, the number of security vulnerabilities, breaches, and disasters will continue to grow," Schneier explains.

Secrets and Lies is published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Publication date is September 8, 2000; $29.99; 0-471-25311-1.

About Bruce Schneier

Bruce Schneier established Counterpane Internet Security, Inc., the industry's first Managed Security Monitoring services firm, to address the critical need for increased levels of security services. Schneier is responsible for maintaining the Company's technical lead in world-class information security technology and its practical and effective implementation.

While president of Counterpane Systems, concerns as diverse as Microsoft, the National Security Agency, Citibank, and the White House staff have all relied upon Schneier's unique expertise. He designed the Blowfish algorithm, which remains unbroken after eight years of cryptanalysis. His Twofish algorithm is among a small number of algorithms currently being considered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for the advanced encryption standard (AES) to replace the current data encryption standard (DES).

Schneier is the author of five books including best-selling Applied Cryptography, the seminal work in its field. Now in its second edition, Applied Cryptography, has sold more than 130,000 copies worldwide and has been translated into three languages. He is a frequent writer, contributing editor, and lecturer on the topics of cryptography, computer security, and privacy. Schneier served on the board of directors of the International Association for Cryptologic Research, is an Advisory Board member for the Electronic Privacy Information Center, and was on the board of directors of the Voter's Telecom Watch.

About Counterpane

Counterpane Internet Security, Inc. was established in 1999 by entrepreneurial expert Tom Rowley and security technologist and author Bruce Schneier. Centered around a network of sophisticated Secure Operations Centers, staffed by expert security analysts, the Company provides 24x7 monitoring, as well as penetration detection and response. Counterpane's Managed Security Monitoring services enable e-business to be conducted safely. The Company is funded by Accel Partners, Bessemer Ventures, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Equity Fund. Headquarters are located at 3031 Tisch Way, 100 Plaza East in San Jose, CA. Phone: 408/260-7500 Fax: 408/556-0889 Website: www.counterpane.com.

Notice to editors: Addendum includes all book flap testimonials. For additional information, see: .

Counterpane is a trademark of Counterpane Internet Security, Inc. All other companies, brand names or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

EDITOR ADDENDUM: Testimonial quotes appearing on the flap cover of Secrets and Lies: Digital Security in a Networked World

"Successful companies embrace risk, and Schneier shows how to bring that thinking to the Internet."

-Mary Meeker, Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter

"Just as Applied Cryptography was the bible for cryptographers in the 90's, so Secrets and Lies will be the official bible for INFOSEC in the new millennium. I didn't think it was possible that a book on business security could make me laugh and smile, but Schneier has made this subject very enjoyable."

- Jim Wallner, National Security Agency

"The news media offer examples of our chronic computer security woes on a near-daily basis, but until now there hasn't been a clear, comprehensive guide that puts the wide range of digital threats in context. The ultimate knowledgeable insider, Schneier not only provides definitions, explanations, stories, and strategies, but a measure of hope that we can get through it all."

- Steven Levy, author of Hackers and Insanely Great

"This book should be - and can be - read by any business executive, no specialty in security required. It will alter the way you do business. Anyone reading Secrets and Lies will immediately understand that security involves everything: where you work, how you work, and who you work with. In this remarkable book, security is a metaphor for all business-related issues. It provides a unique understanding of the digital age and is a handbook for understanding business problems and challenges. At Walker Digital, we spent millions of dollars to understand what Bruce Schneier has deftly explained here."

- Jay S. Walker, Founder, priceline.com and Chairman, Walker Digital

"Good security is good business. And security is not (just) a technical issue; it's a people issue! Security expert Bruce Schneier tells you why and how. If you want to be successful, you should read this book before the other side does!"

- Esther Dyson, chairman, EDventure Holdings