Introduction to Computer Security

About this book

In this authoritative book widely respected practitioner and teacher Matt Bishop presents a clear and useful introduction to the art and science of information security. Bishops insights and realistic examples will help any practitioner or student understand the crucial links between security theory and the day-to-day security challenges of IT environments. Bishop explains the fundamentals of security: the different types of widely used policies the mechanisms that implement these policies the principles underlying both policies and mechanisms and how attackers can subvert these tools--as well as how to defend against attackers. A practicum demonstrates how to apply these ideas and mechanisms to a realistic company. Coverage includes Confidentiality integrity and availability Operational issues cost-benefit and risk analyses legal and human factors Planning and implementing effective access control Defining security confidentiality and integrity policies Using cryptography and public-key systems and recognizing their limits Understanding and using authentication: from passwords to biometrics Security design principles: least-privilege fail-safe defaults open design economy of mechanism and more Controlling information flow through systems and networks Assuring security throughout the system lifecycle Malicious logic: Trojan horses viruses boot sector and executable infectors rabbits bacteria logic bombs--and defenses against them Vulnerability analysis penetration studies auditing and intrusion detection and prevention Applying security principles to networks systems users and programs Introduction to Computer Security is adapted from Bishops comprehensive and widely praised book Computer Security: Art and Science. This shorter version of the original work omits much mathematical formalism making it more accessible for professionals and students who have a less formal mathematical background or for readers with a more practical than theoretical interest.