Computer Security (Worldwide Series in Computer Science) - Softcover

Gollmann, Dieter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0471978442 ISBN 13: 9780471978442

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 1998

Synopsis

A comprehensive and practical text and the perfect starting point for this subject ... ′Is this system secure?′ seems, on the face of it, a straightforward question. Yet how one arrives at an answer is a process which poses a wide range of more complex questions which require a basic understanding of security mechanisms. Questions, such as: ∗ Should protection focus on data, operations or users? ∗ Whilst taking cast iron measures to build in security at one level, what does one do to prevent attackers gaining entry from a lower level?

Starting with basic definitions and concepts, the first section of the book goes on to outline the mechanisms located at the heart of the computer system, mechanisms which provide the basis for techniques used in all other branches of the system. The second section examines the security features found in operating systems such as UNIX and Windows NT, catalogues security breaches, and introduces the topic of security evaluation. A third section is devoted to issues associated with distributed systems, such as network – and Web – security and considers cryptography as an essential technique for such environments. The final section of the book is constructed around database security, discussing problems in multi–level security, and examining security problems in specific settings.

Written for self–study and course use, this book will suit a variety of introductory and more advanced security programmes for students of computer science, engineering and related disciplines. It meets a real need for a comprehensive textbook on the subject. Technical and project managers will also find that the broad coverage offers a great starting point for discovering underlying issues and provides a means of orientation in a world populated by a bewildering array of competing security systems.

About this title

About the Author

Dieter Gollmann, Microsoft Research, Cambridge, UK

From the Back Cover

Computer Security .... the book I have been looking for for years .... Viiveke Fåk, Linköping University A comprehensive and practical text and the perfect starting point for this subject. ′Is this system secure?′ seems, on the face of it, a straightforward question. Yet how one arrives at an answer is a process which poses a wide range of more complex questions which require a basic understanding of security mechanisms. Questions, such as:
∗ Should protection focus on data, operations or users?
∗ Whilst taking cast iron measures to build in security at one level, what does one do to prevent attackers gaining entry from a lower level?
Starting with basic definitions and concepts, the first section of the book goes on to outline the mechanisms located at the heart of the computer system, mechanisms which provide the basis for techniques used in all other branches of the system. The second section examines the security features found in operating systems such as UNIX and Windows NT, catalogues security breaches, and introduces the topic of security evaluation. A third section is devoted to issues associated with distributed systems, such as network – and Web – security and considers cryptography as an essential technique for such environments. The final section of the book is constructed around database security, discussing problems in multi–level security, and examining security problems in specific settings. Written for self–study and course use, this book will suit a variety of introductory and more advanced security programmes for students of computer science, engineering and related disciplines. It meets a real need for a comprehensive textbook on the subject. Technical and project managers will also find that the broad coverage offers a great starting point for discovering underlying issues and provides a means of orientation in a world populated by a bewildering array of competing security systems. Instructors′ resources are available at: http://isg.rhbnc.ac.uk/TM.htm Visit our Website at: www.wiley.com/compbooks/

Edition details

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0471978442
• ISBN 13: 9780471978442
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336