Computer Security: Principles and Practice

by Lawrie Brown William Stallings, Lawrie Brown

In recent years, the need for education in computer security and related topics has grown dramatically - and is essential for anyone in the fields of Computer Science or Computer Engineering. This is the only book available that provides integrated, comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of the broad range of topics in this subject. Comprehensive treatment of user authentication and access control. Unified approach to intrusion detection and firewalls, giving readers a solid understanding of the threats and countermeasures. More detailed coverage of software security than other books. Exploration of management issues. Systematic, comprehensive discussion of malicious software and denial of service attacks. Coverage of Linux and Windows Vista. Up-to-date coverage of database security. Thorough overview of cryptography, authentication, and digital signatures. Coverage of Internet security. For system engineers, programmers, system managers, network managers, product marketing personnel, system support specialists; a solid, up-to-date reference or tutorial for self-study.

Genres: Computer Science, Technology, Nonfiction, Reference, Textbooks

798 pages, Paperback

First published August 6, 2007

Reviews

[Benjamin Kohler]

I gave this 4 stars not because I "really liked it", but because it is a solid introduction to Computer Security.

Do not try to read this for fun. It won't be.

[Herman]

This was the textbook for our postgraduate information security course. Having read it cover to cover, I can say that it is, if nothing else, quite thorough. Unfortunately it is also quite dry. But as textbooks go, this one is not bad. It contains clear descriptions and diagrams of the important security algorithms and protocols, and offers industry insights from authors who are clearly very experienced in the field.

[Karel Baloun]

Even though by fourth edition they claim a 2017 print date, too much of this book is out of date. For example, the table of biometric authentication reliability data is from 2001, far before touchID and FaceID.

This book tries to take on too much, and discusses a security design much more than providing examples of breaches. In my opinion, a key part of studying security is practically reviewing recovery from failures, and concretely examining potential future attacks. Cryptography is effectively relegated to an appendix. The chapters seem arbitrarily ordered.

This may still be the best textbook on cyber security, that shows a big market opportunity. None of the chapters go deep enough to be sufficient for real world understanding.

[Dee]

I read this for academic purposes, otherwise, I would not be reading it. I say that because I obviously prefer reading fiction, as opposed to academic textbooks.

However, this textbook was informative and detailed for the course I am undertaking. Despite that, there were some sentences, more than a few, that made me want to pull my brain out my nose because the grammar was painful to endure. Regardless, this textbook helped me understand the basics and foundation of computer security, which was what I needed.

And yes, I did need to reference it in an essay, annoyingly. But anyways, did we expect anything else?

[Sarah]

This book is poorly written. There are so many sentence structures that don’t make any sense and many grammatical errors . I am using this book for one of my undergrad classes and it is pretty difficult for a beginner. It does not give any examples and it is poorly structured (jumping quickly from one thing to next). The questions at the end of the chapter are sometimes too complex and usually the book did not even mention them. I wouldn’t recommend this book.

[Samuel]

This was a textbook for graduate Information Security course. Being a textbook, it's deep rooted in theory and strongly references NIST and ISO documents pertaining to computer security. This book does well in preparing security practitioners with the mindset for performing hands on work.

[Finn]

Very in-depth, had it as course book for introduction to cybersecurity and it covers wide variety of topics in good detail.

[Kim]

Excellent introductory book on computer security

[Seale Rapolai]

A good book covering everything about computer security. It gives a good overview of pretty much the industry targeting mainly beginners.

[Randy Daugherty]

This new edition covers all security topics considered Core in the ACM/IEEE Computer Science Curricula 2013, as well as subject areas for CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) certification. This textbook can be used to prep for CISSP Certification and is often referred to as the 'gold standard' when it comes to information security certification. The text provides in-depth coverage of Computer Security, Technology and Principles, Software Security, Management Issues, Cryptographic Algorithms, Internet Security.
Required reading for class, which was in many ways a refresher of security classes taken in the past, though the instructor made the class dry and boring the book is informative.

[Yodawookiee]

Used as one of 3 books for my first Master's Degree class in Cyber Security. 2 stars because unless you buy this book new, you will have to pay an additional $20 to access the Appendices. I just can't wrap my mind around selling 1 book twice & making an additional $20 for every subsequent student, who already paid too much for the book whether it was used or a rental. It is completely jacked up to sell an incomplete book and expect extra money for the rest of it. It has decent information, but the same info is also covered by Panko or Smith in similar books that are sold as complete packages.

[Daniel Apatiga]

I read a few key chapters and skimmed a few others because they were not required. I found that it did indeed compliment Nigel's cryptography book very well. If you try to study computer security on your own, I suggest buying both versions (Nigel's is a free download).

[John Johnson]

I used this course in developing my graduate fundamentals of information assurance course for Walden University.

[Damith Rajapakse]

asasasasasasa

[Haneen]

ITE408 :Information Security
Fall 2012-2013
MoWe 10:45-12:15 pm

[Levina]

Read for school....

[Ro Drop]

One of the best security books available.