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Neumann Honored For Contributions to Advancing Computer Security Technology WASHINGTON, DC -- Peter G. Neumann, a pioneering figure in computer security and a leader in privacy and public policy issues for the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), received the 2002 Computer System Security Award from the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on June 18, 2002. The award, given annually by NIST and the National Security Agency (NSA) for outstanding contributions toward the advancement of computer security technology, is considered the most prestigious award in the area of information security and assurance. Neumann, principal scientist at SRI International Computer Science Lab in Menlo Park, CA, conducted innovative work in intrusion detection and computer attack analysis. He helped create many of the fundamental principles in building secure computer and communications systems. During the late 1960s, he had a leadership role in designing, developing and managing the Multiplexed Information Computing Services (MULTICS) operating system along with researchers at leading universities and computer companies. This work was used as the security test-bed for some of the nation's most important and seminal security ideas. In the 1970s, Neumann led the design of the Provably Secure Operating System (PSOS), which was the first design based on formal security analysis. As co-chair of the ACM Advisory Committee on Security and Privacy, and as moderator of the RISKS Forum, sponsored by the ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy, Neumann has energized and led debates on national issues related to security, reliability, human safety and trustworthy design. He has participated in several National Academy of Sciences studies, including two that produced highly regarded reports: "Computers at Risk: Safe Computing in the Information Age in 1990," and "CRISIS (Cryptography's Role in Securing the Information Society)," a report on U.S. cryptographic policy in 1996. "As more people recognize that computer security and privacy are critical to national security and the economy, Peter Neumann's contributions are especially noteworthy," said Gene Spafford, co-chair of USACM, the U.S. Public Policy Committee of ACM, and professor of computer science at Purdue University. A previous winner of the Computer System Security Award from NIST, Spafford lauded Neumann's leadership in addressing and articulating issues involving computer system survivability and reliability, fault tolerance, and risk avoidance. Neumann, named as an ACM Fellow in 1998, is a contributing editor of "Communications of the ACM," the flagship publication of ACM, where he writes and edits a monthly column entitled "Inside Risks." His book, Computer-Related Risks, is in its fourth printing. He also co-founded People for Internet Responsibility, which publishes position statements on Internet issues, including hacking, censorship and governance. He is on the Executive Committee of USACM, the U.S. Public Policy Committee of ACM. He frequently provides testimony to Congressional committees and Federal agencies on encryption and computer security risks. Other ACM Fellows who are previous winners of the Computer System Security Award include Ron Rivest, professor of electrical engineering and computer science at and RSA Security co-founder; Dorothy Denning, professor of computer science at Georgetown; Willis Ware, senior computer scientist emeritus with the RAND Corporation; Donn Parker, senior management systems consultant at SRI International; and David Clark, senior research scientist at the MIT Lab for Computer Science. About ACM The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) is a major force in advancing the skills of information technology professionals and students. ACM serves its global membership by delivering cutting edge technical information and transferring ideas from theory to practice. ACM hosts the computing industry's leading Portal to Computing Literature. With its world-class journals and magazines, dynamic special interest groups, numerous conferences, workshops and electronic forums, ACM is a primary resource for the information technology field. For additional information about ACM, visit our web site at www.acm.org. About NIST As a non-regulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Technology Administration, NIST develops and promotes measurements, standards, and technology to enhance productivity, facilitate trade, and improve the quality of life. Under the Computer Security Act of 1987, NIST also develops standards and guidelines for the protection of sensitive federal computer systems. |
