Bill Gates: Data security is the No. 1 challenge

Keeping information safe and secure in the age of laptop users is the biggest challenge of the technology industry, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said.

Speaking to the 15,000 security experts gathered in San Francisco, Gates used the metaphor of a medieval castle to explain this problem: programmers built up the deep-caned city, but was helpless when the business staff kept bouncing, relaxed out of the castle and let the gate open.

"Any software has weaknesses "

" We used to think of a data center as a greenhouse, isolated from the surrounding. But look back on the reality that is happening, the consultants start coming to your company, the staff is far away. have access to the system - the image of the greenhouse has become no longer accurate. We need a new model, much stronger than that . "

Gates had the opportunity to repeat Microsoft's affirmation that Vista, the operating system that was released last month, is the most secure operating system in its history.

But Gates acknowledged that all software has weaknesses, especially when thieves steal servers that contain top-secret information inside, or assume employees use too simple passwords for many different accounts. .

Instead of passwords, Gates said, he prefers "public authentication codes". This is a combination of digital signatures and other identifying information such as the user's name, address, and social insurance card number. And Gates calls this the "Identity MetaSystem" system.

" We all have to struggle with the booming username and password ," Gates wrote in a message posted on the Microsoft website. " Because no single identity system or technology can be applied globally. We need a different approach ."

Obsolete to danger

Mr. Craig Mundie, director of research and strategy at Microsoft, said that the software industry is still looking at security under an "obsolete path to danger."

" As if we were in medieval times, thinking that thick walls, tall towers, deep moats were enough to stop enemies from invading ," Mundie told the San Francisco Conference. " What we do not see is the crashing planes and missiles ."

Evidence shows that no software that is "immune" to attacks has been released in the same Conference, as experts from Core Security Technologies announce a vulnerability that could threaten all businesses. Install Vista, combined with third-party software applications.

For example, a vulnerability in backup software from Computer Associates allows an attacker to take down and gain control of Vista computers remotely. Core experts said they will try to hack other applications with the same tactics.

" We just want Vista users not to fall asleep in the illusion that Vista is absolutely safe, " said Max Caceres, Core's Product Manager.

Trong Cam