Home > Articles > Security > General Security and Privacy

Software [In]security: Cargo Cult Computer Security

Computer Security, and especially software security, suffers from a "Cargo Cult" mentality: work that seems scientific but is led by advocacy and evangelism instead of actual science. Gary McGraw argues that the time is right to turn to real science to combat this phenomenon.
Like this article? We recommend

Why We Need More Description and Less Prescription

Cargo Cult Science

In a 1974 commencement address entitled Cargo Cult Science at Caltech, the physicist Richard Feynman railed against pretend science. In particular, Feynman was worried about work that seems scientific but is lacking in "a kind of scientific integrity, a principle of scientific thought that corresponds to a kind of utter honesty." Computer security has many cargo cult characteristics.

For readers who don't know what a cargo cult is, a quick introduction. During World War II, planes landed for the first time on far flung Pacific islands inhabited by indigenous populations who had little or no interaction with the outside world. The planes were viewed as miraculous things associated with the "ancestors," imbued with metaphysical powers, and able to bring in mind-boggling modern treasures such as T-shirts, canned food, tents, fuel, and weapons. To the islanders, these items were tantalizing; but the war moved on, and the planes stopped landing.

The islanders, eager to enable the planes to return with their incredible stuff, developed quasi-religious theories about what made the planes come in the first place. They built simulated airstrips. They lit fires around the "airstrips." They even carved radio headphones out of wood and put up bamboo antennas. These were the Cargo Cults. As Wikipedia reports, "The cults are focused on obtaining the material wealth (the "cargo") of the advanced culture through magical thinking and religious rituals and practices, believing that the wealth was intended for them by their deities and ancestors." The planes never came back..

Figure 1

Figure 1 A picture of an "airplane" and a "control tower" created by a Cargo Cult.

Feynman began his 1974 address mostly worried about combating UFOs, extrasensory perception, witch doctors and the like, but zeroed in on a more subtle and important issue — a skeptical stance. Science, Feynman argues, should "bend over backwards" and try to get to the bottom of explaining a phenomenon by thinking carefully about all possible causes that can explain results (not just the most convenient or most popular theory). "In summary," Feynman says, "the idea is to try to give all of the information to help others to judge the value of your contribution; not just the information that leads to judgment in one direction or another."

Computer Security, and especially my own subfield of software security, suffers from a Cargo Cult mentality that may have roots in its relative youth as a field. When a field is just getting started, advocacy and evangelism are the order of the day. "Because I said so," is often seen as a convincing argument, especially if uttered by a self-proclaimed expert. This is a problem as the field progresses.

Of course the problem exists in other aspects of Computer Security as well. Sometimes it seems that security has more to do with clever marketing and moving product than with actually making things better. As a modicum of evidence, consider the basic sniff/grep/react technologies that are continually renamed and repackaged as trends come and go (e.g., logging, firewalls, exfiltration protection, GRC, SIM/SEIM, WAFs, etcetera). The clearest sign of our overall maturity in computer security is that the "market" is more important than the problem or the solution

If we want to combat this phenomenon (and I do), then the time has come to turn to science. But not Cargo Cult Science — real science.

Monkeys Eat Bananas

The BSIMM model is a descriptive model of software security. The idea behind the BSIMM is fairly novel for computer science. Gather data first, and then build a model that explains the data. Continue the data gathering and refine the model. Share your results with others and look for facts that disprove the model. (The usual approach in computer science is to build a model first and only then to gather various dribs and drabs of data — if any at all — that seem to justify the model. The problem here is that any model, no matter how ridiculous, will always find a proponent or two, providing "evidence" that the model somehow simulates a useful reality.)

Models are important. They allow experimentation and prediction when reality isn't readily available. Gathering data and refining a model makes it more representative of reality and more useful to others. There is a fundamental difference between an a posteriori descriptive model accurately reflecting a growing slice of reality and an a priori prescriptive model in search of proponents.

A descriptive model purports only to observe and report. My co-authors and I joke around that we wandered off into the jungle to see what we could see and discovered that "monkeys eat bananas." Notice that in the BSIMM model we don't report "you should only eat yellow bananas," "do not run while eating a banana," "thou shalt not steal thy neighbors' bananas," or any other value judgment related statements. Simple observations, simply reported. In our work, counts are kept for each activity, just in case we happened upon the one banana-eating monkey in the entire jungle.

Prescriptive models purport to tell you what you should do. Promulgators of such models say things more like, "the model is chocked full of value judgments [sic] about what organizations SHOULD be doing." That's just dandy, as long as any prescriptive model only became prescriptive over time based on sufficient observation and testing.

The problem is we have way too many prescriptive models in Computer Security that are not backed up by any data at all. Pseudoscience. Perhaps we should focus our field for the time being on gathering lots of descriptive data and making sure that any prescriptive theories we come up with cohere with actual observables.

What the Data Say

    I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
    Take a bow for the new revolution
    Smile and grin at the change all around me
    Pick up my guitar and play
    Just like yesterday
    And I'll get on my knees and pray
    We don't get fooled again
    Don't get fooled again

    —The Who

Of course descriptive data can be misused and abused — wild extrapolation probably being the biggest transgression. Feynman clearly understands this when he says, "The first principal is that you must not fool yourself — and you are the easiest person to fool." An important aspect of avoiding Cargo Cult Science is to make sure that you don't only refer to data when they are convenient or when they justify your foregone conclusion. Otherwise the planes don't land.

Two examples from the BSIMM work may help. The first is obvious, and is the subject of last month's column, You Really Need a Software Security Group. There are a number of lone wolf consultants and software security soothsayers who continue to claim that an SSG is unnecessary for software security, even in the face of overwhelming data. Such ideas would surely be welcome if they were backed by anything other than strident proclamations. Disagreement is healthy — it plays an essential role in scientific progress. But disagreement without data leads to absurd ideas about the existence of global warming.

A more subtle example can be found in overly generous claims about OWASP ESAPI by its proponents. The idea of building middleware for developers to use in their work is certainly a good one (this is one of ten activities observed in the "Security Features and Design" BSIMM practice). Furthermore, data from the BSIMM show that 18 of 30 firms in the current dataset make use of various kinds of middleware frameworks for security controls (not OWASP ESAPI, mind you, but something similar). But claiming that the use of an enterprise security API will single-handedly solve the software security problem is just plain silly and flies in the face of the BSIMM's other 109 activities.

Compared to What?

Another distinct advantage that descriptive models have over prescriptive models is the ability to compare current observations with past observations. In the case of the BSIMM, the idea is to compare observations about activities observed in a target company to observations made over groups of other firms represented in the data. For example, we can compare a major credit card supplier to eleven other financial services firms directly. Or we can compare an ISV to the multiple ISVs already represented in the data set.

This is an extremely powerful technique. Data that suggest how the software security activities observed in your firm compare to activities observed in similar firms are a much more useful guide for reasonable strategy than the studied opinion of a witch doctor. Just for the record, I was one of the first software security witch doctors, and along with my co-authors I am proud to be in the first wave of software security practitioners to leave that era behind.

Also worthy of mention in this section is the "one size fits all" problem that many prescriptive models suffer from. The fact is, nobody knows your organizational culture like you do. A descriptive comparison allows you to gather descriptive data and adapt good ideas from others while taking your culture into account.

Last Word to Feynman

As I have said before, the time has come to put away the bug parade boogeyman, the top 25 tea leaves, black box web app goat sacrifice, and the occult reading of pen testing entrails. It's science time. And the more descriptive and data driven we are, the better.

Feynman said it best in 1974:

    We've learned from experience that the truth will come out. Other experimenters will repeat your experiment and find out whether you were wrong or right. Nature's phenomena will agree or they'll disagree with your theory. And, although you may gain some temporary fame and excitement, you will not gain a good reputation as a scientist if you haven't tried to be very careful in this kind of work. And it's this type of integrity, this kind of care not to fool yourself, that is missing to a large extent in much of the research in cargo cult science.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020