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Gene Spafford

Gene Spafford Quotes

Computer Scientist

Gene Spafford is a renowned computer scientist known for his contributions to the fields of cybersecurity and computer crime. He began researching computer security in the mid-1980s and has published extensively on the subject. Professor Spafford has also played a significant role in cybersecurity education and policy development.

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All Security Computer Benches Boxes Car Cardboard Boxes Park Benches Parks Secure Armed Guards

Famous Gene Spafford Quotes

“Our examination of computer viruses leads us to the conclusion that they are very close to what we might define as "artificial life." Rather than representing a scientific achievement, this probably represents a flaw in our definition.”

Might Achievement Computer Definitions Conclusion Flaws Artificial Examination Viruses Representing Artificial Life Computer Viruses

Author:Gene Spafford

“Questioning the status quo can result in banishment, imprisonment, ridicule or being burned at the stake, depending on your era, your locale, and the sacred cows you wish to butcher.”

Wish Results Sacred Eras Stakes Cows Questioning Burned Status Quo Ridicule Imprisonment Butchers Sacred Cows Banishment

Author:Gene Spafford

“While travelling near Tampa, Florida I passed the "Jehovah's Witness Assembly Hall" and was struck by the fact that that must be where they make them.”

Facts Christian Religious Witness Halls Florida Assembly Jehovah Tampa

Author:Gene Spafford

“Cryptography [without system integrity] is like investing in an armored car to carry money between a customer living in a cardboard box and a person doing business on a park bench.”

Persons Car Integrity Investing Boxes Customers Parks Benches Cryptography Cardboard Boxes Park Benches

Author:Gene Spafford

“The only truly secure system is one that is powered off, cast in a block of concrete and sealed in a lead-lined room with armed guards.”

Rooms Security Computer Casts Block Secure Concrete Security Systems Computer Systems Computer Security Computer Viruses Armed Guards

Author:Gene Spafford

“People in general are not interested in paying extra for increased safety. At the beginning seat belts cost $200 and nobody bought them.”

People Security Cost Safety Extras Seats Not Interested Belts Seat Belts

Author:Gene Spafford

“Securing an environment of Windows platforms from abuse - external or internal - is akin to trying to install sprinklers in a fireworks factory where smoking on the job is permitted.”

Trying Jobs Environment Security Window Abuse Smoking Internals Factories Platforms Fireworks

Author:Gene Spafford

“Using encryption on the Internet is the equivalent of arranging an armored car to deliver credit card information from someone living in a cardboard box to someone living on a park bench.”

Security Car Information Internet Boxes Credit Cards Parks Benches Living On Credit Card Arranging Encryption Cardboard Boxes Park Benches

Author:Gene Spafford

“But it doesn't have to be this way. We can do things better. We need to stop doing business as usual and start focusing on end-to-end quality. Security needs to be built in from the start - not slapped on after the fact.”

Way Needs Ends Facts Can Do Quality Security Built Usual

Author:Gene Spafford

“The only system which is truly secure is one which is switched off and unplugged, locked in a titanium lined safe, buried in a concrete bunker, and is surrounded by nerve gas and very highly paid armed guards. Even then, I wouldn't stake my life on it.”

Safe Paid Secure Gas Nerves Buried Stakes Concrete Locked Testing Bunkers Armed Guards

Author:Gene Spafford

“The Internet is like a herd of performing elephants with diarrhoea - massive, difficult to re-direct, awe-inspiring, entertaining, and a source of mind-boggling amounts of excrement when you least expect it.”

Mind Difficult Source Amount Internet Computer Direct Performing Awe Massive Entertaining Elephants Herds Awe Inspiring Diarrhea Mind Boggling Diarrhoea

Author:Gene Spafford

“Secure web servers are the equivalent of heavy armoured cars. The problem is, they are being used to transfer rolls of coins and cheques written in crayon by people on park benches to merchants doing business in cardboard boxes from beneath highway bridges. Further, the roads are subject to random detours, anyone with a screwdriver can control the traffic lights, and there are no police.”

Source: Web Security & Commerce

“Ability to type on a computer terminal is no guarantee of sanity, intelligence, or common sense.”

Ability Common Type Computer Common Sense Guarantees Sanity Terminal

Author:Gene Spafford

About the Author

Born: 1956
Known for: Computer Scientist
Quotes: 13

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