Nov 02, 2004 - Claremont, Calif. -

"Security, Liberties and Trade-offs in the War on Terrorism" will be discussed by internationally renowned security technologist and author Bruce Schneier at Harvey Mudd College's Galileo Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m.

Since 9/11, we have enacted the Patriot Act, tighter screening at airports, a proposed national I.D. card system, a color-coded alert system, irradiated mail and a Department of Homeland Security, but do all of these things really make us any less vulnerable to another terrorist attack? Security expert Schneier evaluates the systems we have in place post-9/11, revealing which of them work and which ones are simply "security theater." Schneier will address why most security measures don't work and never will, why bad security is worse than none at all, and why strong security means learning how to fail well.

Described by The Economist as a "security guru," Schneier is best known for his candid security analysis. His book, "Applied Cryptography," explained how the arcane science of secret codes actually works, and was described by Wired magazine as "the book the National Security Agency wanted never to be published." His book on computer and network security, "Secrets and Lies," was called by Fortune "[a] jewel box of little surprises you can actually use." His current book, "Beyond Fear: Thinking Sensibly about Security in an Uncertain World" tackles the problems of personal safety, crime, corporate and national security.

The founder and CTO of Counterpane Internet Security, Inc., an international provider of managed security monitoring services, Schneier is the author of eight books, and the Blowfish and Twofish encryption algorithms. He also publishes the free monthly newsletter Crypto-Gram, a widely read forum about security. As "head curmudgeon," Schneier explains, debunks and draws lessons from security stories that make the news. Regularly quoted in the media, Schneier has written op ed-pieces for several major newspapers and has testified on security before the United States Congress.

Schneier's lecture is part of the Dr. Bruce J. Nelson '74 Distinguished Speaker Series, which was established by Nelson's family to honor the late alumnus of Harvey Mudd College.