ITsec PEP Review of: Beyond Fear: Thinking Sensibly About Security in an Uncertain World
I am going to keep this review short. Schneier’s first book I read, Applied Cryptography (2nd edition), left me fascinated by the art and science of cryptography. Another Schneier book, Secrets & Lies, told things many were not inclined to share. Practical Cryptography (co-authored with Niels Ferguson) presented such a clear, practical, and down-to-earth view of cryptography that I thought anyone who is lucky enough to read the book and follow the advice is going to really understand cryptography in context. Now, Beyond Fear. If it can be said that Practical Cryptography followed Applied Cryptography, then Beyond Fear follows Secrets & Lies. Once again, Schneier manages to describe complex security concepts and interdependencies without a word of technical jargon, so loved by many pseudo-experts trying to disguise their lack of clear understanding. Once again Schneier advocates “understand before you act”, which seems not to match some governments’ approach to security – security in a wider sense. Once again Schneier proves he is the one of few people who indeed understand security, and what is more important and more difficult, that he can explain complex security concepts to people not specializing in security. Whatever your trade and whatever your background, go ahead and read it because security affects your life.
Categories: Beyond Fear, Text