full-disclosure - Re: Getting Off the Patch

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Message-ID: <4D2F4839.2070600@isecom.org>
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:45:13 +0100
From: Pete Herzog <lists@...com.org>
To: Tim <tim-security@...tinelchicken.org>
Cc: "full-disclosure@...ts.grok.org.uk" <full-disclosure@...ts.grok.org.uk>,
	Valdis.Kletnieks@...edu
Subject: Re: Getting Off the Patch

> Yeah, sounds good in theory.  What about when vulnerabilities (and
> presumably patches) come out for your "sandbox" or other security
> software?

That's why you use a wide array of operational controls and not just 
one, like a sandbox. The sandbox in the article was just a small example.

>
> IMO, adding more software to a system rarely results in overall
> management gains.  This is because most software, including security
> software, sucks.  If you find yourself patching too often, or you
> can't trust that the patches won't break your environment, then you
> probably need to find a software vendor that invests more in QA.
>

I couldn't agree more. Flaws in operational controls (security 
software) are a serious shame on the security industry and as you 
suggested, if you have that many flaws in a software, replace the 
vendor. However, I'll go one more- if you find your patches breaking 
too often or too many things, then stop patching and find an alternative.

Sincerely,
-pete.

-- 
Pete Herzog - Managing Director - pete@...com.org
ISECOM - Institute for Security and Open Methodologies
www.isecom.org - www.osstmm.org
www.hackerhighschool.org - www.badpeopleproject.org

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