A Vulnerable System: The History of Information Security in the Computer Age

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As threats to information security permeate daily life, A Vulnerable System illustrates how society's needs remain unmet despite rising demand for protection. This neglect endangers the confidentiality of personal data, the integrity of elections, and the stability of international relations. Andrew J. Stewart argues that emergency software patches and new security products are insufficient against issues like hacking, viruses, and electronic spying. Instead, we must confront and address profound structural problems. The book offers a historical perspective on information security, tracing its evolution from the first digital computers during the Cold War to contemporary Silicon Valley innovations. The relentless drive for new technologies has come at a significant cost, as the lack of historical awareness has led us to overlook past lessons in favor of present novelties. From the onset of the information age, claims of secure systems have often been undermined by practical realities. Stewart emphasizes that understanding our historical context is essential to addressing the myriad risks technology faces today. This work provides an enlightening and sobering examination of a subject that profoundly impacts our lives.