Questions tagged [security-theater]

DO NOT USE THIS TAG AS A GENERIC SECURITY TAG!!
Security theater is a term that describes security countermeasures intended to provide the feeling of improved security while doing little or nothing to actually improve security. The term was coined by computer security specialist and writer Bruce Schneier for his book Beyond Fear.

Security theater is a term that describes security countermeasures intended to provide the feeling of improved security while doing little or nothing to actually improve security. The term was coined by computer security specialist and writer Bruce Schneier for his book Beyond Fear.

(derived from the Wikipedia entry)

Despite the connotations of the word theater, those responsible for producing security theater may believe they are providing real security. It is however critical that the producers believe that those exposed to their measures, techniques, and methods will feel more secure. The producers may fail to provide real security either through resource constraint (time, money, personnel, etc), failure to properly evaluate the system, or actual intent to deceive.

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Popular Security "Cargo Cults"

In Information and IT Security there is a nasty tendency for specific "best practices" to become inviolable golden rules, which then leads to people recommending that they are applied regardless of whether they are appropriate for a given situation…
Rory McCune
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Are you aware of any CEO that went to jail because of Security Flaws?

I need to make a real motivation for a security talk to a board of management. I know that in case a company ships products ignoring (so knowing and on purpose not caring) then it is held liable. What I heard as well is that the CEO is the one made…
user20259
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What is the difference between exploitable security measures and security theater?

As an example, the US no-fly list is commonly referred to as a security theater given that it is easy to work around. However blurring license plates when posting a picture online is not considered a security theater, even though license plates are…
JonathanReez
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What is Security Theater?

Security Theater, or Security Theatre in British English, has been mentioned in many posts on this site. What does Security Theater mean? What are some examples? Is it the greatest threat to actual security?
NH.
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So, how dead is antivirus exactly?

Symantec recently made a loud statement that antivirus is dead (http://online.wsj.com/news/article_email/SB10001424052702303417104579542140235850578-lMyQjAxMTA0MDAwNTEwNDUyWj ) and that they don’t really consider it to be a source of profit. Some…
Safensoft
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how does your standard security system work?

Do they have lasers motion sensors etc.. more looking for the type of security system you would see in a basic house not rich / well endowed one.
John doe
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Is there any good open source software for Security Risk Analysis?

Is there any good open source software for Security Risk Analysis? for example something like one explained on : http://www.security-risk-analysis.com/introduction.htm
webKite
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How to disable a trail camera with a laser

My neighbor presently has a version of a Stealth Cam P12 6 MP Trail Camera 9 (see link below) pointed directly into my windows. Rather than get into a legal argument (the authorities where I live won't care and I am not in the habit on contacting…
Sonja
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