Patrolling Cyberspace: Lessons Learned from a Lifetime in Data Security

by Howard A. Schmidt

Cybercrime isn’t some new phenomenon. Just ask Howard A. Schmidt, who’s led the war against high-tech crooks for more than three decades. In this fascinating and eminently readable book, he recounts his storied career, from the earliest days of hacking through the formative years of computer forensics up to today’s fight for homeland security. Patrolling Cyberspace is laced with case studies, amusing anecdotes, and cutting-edge security methods worthy of emulation, making it both an engaging memoir and a how-to guide packed with practical advice.

240 pages, Hardcover

First published December 15, 2006

Reviews

[Ari]

I don’t really know what I thought this book would be about when I picked it up, but it turns out it is basically a quick review of the history of hacking. That sounds like it could be interesting, but it wasn’t really. I don’t know if I just needed more information (for instance the difference between a hacker and a phreaker, never really explained while being discussed), or if I was just bored of science (see my review on Sync for the reasons) but I felt like I was struggling to gain even limited understanding into this book.
I did find it more interesting when he discussed case study or when he talked about how the laws had to be created to deal with the whole new area (cybercrime). However, there are other, less disturbing areas than child porn which he goes back to quite a bit, and which I find to be extremely disturbing.
Overall, not the worst book I’ve ever read, but to technical to be any use to me in my everyday life. This one goes squarely in the category of books (please God not to many of these!) that I would never have read without the bet and will forget about before the bet is over.
This review is taken from my blog bibliophilebet.blogspot.com

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

For a (ISC)2 recommended book, it was very disappointing. The book tries to present a history of hacking, police response, and anti-hacking policies - and it failed on all accounts. Everyone with any computer security knowledge or experience should just skip this book - might be a good summary for the C-suite people who don't want details.