EP12: Our Quick Hit on How Hard Security Deployment Really Is

Making Data Better

In this Making Data Better episode, Steve and George discuss the multiple challenges of making better security approaches available and, critically, used by relying parties and suppliers.
This is a hugely non-trivial problem. Functional product features nearly always receive priority over basic security. IoT manufacturers compete on features and cost where even a single dollar’s worth of cryptographic hardware impacts competitiveness.
With incentives as they are, taking steps to secure digital operations will continue to be viewed as a cost of doing business, a cost to be minimized if not avoided.
The answers are multiple but a huge market shaper is regulation. Regulation shapes how competitors prosper, or not, by focusing incentives on safety. That’s worked for automobiles; it’s worked for aircraft. We believe the internet needs similar treatment (remember the phrase “Information Superhighway”?).
Regulation can remove the cost avoidance temptation and establish the minimum capabilities for all parties. And, as we discuss, ubiquitous participation is essential.
We are also bullish on the business model that could emerge around verifiable credential sharing.
So take a listen!