Schneier on Security

Marsh Ray • February 17, 2011 9:27 AM

Looks interesting, but I don't really know what I'm reading. Perhaps some friendly NSA history buff will explain the significance of this document?

My impressions:
1. NSA in 1950s-60s were concerned with HR and personnel much like any other technology company today. They realized it would be hard to get the best people if they would become "cloistered".
2. They were able to hire people who weren't initially US citizens and had spent significant time out of the country. My understanding is that these people would have trouble getting security clearances today.
3. They knew they needed computers that were as fast as possible and wanted to encourage technology development. Yet they clearly preferred off-the-shelf solutions and considered custom hardware almost a last resort.
4. They were focused on signals/communications intelligence in order to warn of an impending attack on the US.
5. They do not appear the least bit concerned with the "communist threat". I don't see any of the hysterical ideology which pervaded politics at the time. Either they knew it was BS, they carefully stayed out of internal politics, or both.

My favorite bit captures the birth of the field of modern software development:

"Someone should look into programming techniques in advance of thinking what the Agency would get out of it."