Security Without Obscurity

Most books on public key infrastructure (PKI) seem to focus on asymmetric cryptography, X.509 certificates, certificate authority (CA) hierarchies, or certificate policy (CP), and certificate practice statements. While algorithms, certificates, and theoretical policy are all excellent discussions, the real-world issues for operating a commercial or

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is an operational ecosystem that employs key management, cryptography, information technology (IT), information security (cybersecurity) policy and practices, legal matters (law, regulatory, contractual, privacy), and business rules (processes and procedures). A properly managed PKI requires all of these disparate disciplines to function together; coherently, efficiently, effectually, and successfully. Clearly defined roles and responsibilities, separation of duties, documentation and communications are critical aspects for a successful operation. PKI is not just about certificates, rather it can be the technical foundation for the elusive "crypto-agility" which is the ability to manage cryptographic transitions. The second quantum revolution has begun, quantum computers are coming, and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) transitions will become PKI operation's business as usual.

Résumé : Providing a no-nonsense approach and realistic guide to operating a PKI system, this book discusses PKI best practices, as well as bad practices, and includes anonymous case studies scattered throughout that identify each. --

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is an operational ecosystem that employs key management, cryptography, information technology (IT), information security (cybersecurity), policy and practices, legal matters (law, regulatory, contractual, privacy), and business rules (processes and procedures). A properly managed PKI requires all of these disparate disciplines to function together – coherently, efficiently, effectually, and successfully. Clearly defined roles and responsibilities, separation of duties, documentation, and communications are critical aspects for a successful operation. PKI is not just about certificates, rather it can be the technical foundation for the elusive "crypto-agility," which is the ability to manage cryptographic transitions. The second quantum revolution has begun, quantum computers are coming, and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) transitions will become PKI operation’s business as usual.

The traditional view of information security includes the three cornerstones: confidentiality, integrity, and availability; however the author asserts authentication is the third keystone. As the field continues to grow in complexity, novices and professionals need a reliable reference that clearly outlines the essentials. Security without Obscurity: A Guide to Confidentiality, Authentication, and Integrity fills this need. Rather than focusing on compliance or policies and procedures, this book takes a top-down approach. It shares the author’s knowledge, insights, and observations about information security based on his experience developing dozens of ISO Technical Committee 68 and ANSI accredited X9 standards. Starting with the fundamentals, it provides an understanding of how to approach information security from the bedrock principles of confidentiality, integrity, and authentication. The text delves beyond the typical cryptographic abstracts of encryption and digital signatures as the fundamental security controls to explain how to implement them into applications, policies, and procedures to meet business and compliance requirements. Providing you with a foundation in cryptography, it keeps things simple regarding symmetric versus asymmetric cryptography, and only refers to algorithms in general, without going too deeply into complex mathematics. Presenting comprehensive and in-depth coverage of confidentiality, integrity, authentication, non-repudiation, privacy, and key management, this book supplies authoritative insight into the commonalities and differences of various users, providers, and regulators in the U.S. and abroad.

Security without Obscurity: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) complements Jeff Stapleton's three other Security without Obscurity books to provide clear information and answers to the most commonly asked questions about information security (IS) solutions that use or rely on cryptography and key management methods. There are good and bad cryptography, bad ways of using good cryptography, and both good and bad key management methods. Consequently, information security solutions often have common but somewhat unique issues. These common and unique issues are expressed as an FAQ organized by related topic areas. The FAQ in this book can be used as a reference guide to help address such issues. Cybersecurity is based on information technology (IT) that is managed using IS controls, but there is information, misinformation, and disinformation. Information reflects things that are accurate about security standards, models, protocols, algorithms, and products. Misinformation includes misnomers, misunderstandings, and lack of knowledge. Disinformation can occur when marketing claims either misuse or abuse terminology, alluding to things that are inaccurate or subjective. This FAQ provides information and distills misinformation and disinformation about cybersecurity. This book will be useful to security professionals, technology professionals, assessors, auditors, managers, and hopefully even senior management who want a quick, straightforward answer to their questions. It will serve as a quick reference to always have ready on an office shelf. As any good security professional knows, no one can know everything.

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is an operational ecosystem that employs key management, cryptography, information technology (IT), information security (cybersecurity) policy and practices, legal matters (law, regulatory, contractual, privacy), and business rules (processes and procedures). A properly managed PKI requires all of these disparate disciplines to function together; coherently, efficiently, effectually, and successfully. Clearly defined roles and responsibilities, separation of duties, documentation and communications are critical aspects for a successful operation. PKI is not just about certificates, rather it can be the technical foundation for the elusive "crypto-agility" which is the ability to manage cryptographic transitions. The second quantum revolution has begun, quantum computers are coming, and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) transitions will become PKI operation's business as usual.

Security without Obscurity: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) complements Jeff Stapleton’s three other Security without Obscurity books to provide clear information and answers to the most commonly asked questions about information security (IS) solutions that use or rely on cryptography and key management methods. There are good and bad cryptography, bad ways of using good cryptography, and both good and bad key management methods. Consequently, information security solutions often have common but somewhat unique issues. These common and unique issues are expressed as an FAQ organized by related topic areas. The FAQ in this book can be used as a reference guide to help address such issues. Cybersecurity is based on information technology (IT) that is managed using IS controls, but there is information, misinformation, and disinformation. Information reflects things that are accurate about security standards, models, protocols, algorithms, and products. Misinformation includes misnomers, misunderstandings, and lack of knowledge. Disinformation can occur when marketing claims either misuse or abuse terminology, alluding to things that are inaccurate or subjective. This FAQ provides information and distills misinformation and disinformation about cybersecurity. This book will be useful to security professionals, technology professionals, assessors, auditors, managers, and hopefully even senior management who want a quick, straightforward answer to their questions. It will serve as a quick reference to always have ready on an office shelf. As any good security professional knows, no one can know everything.