Open source vs. Windows: Security debate rages

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: NETWORKING TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
07/06/05

Dear security.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* What's more secure, open source code or proprietary closed
  source operating systems and applications?
* Links related to Networking Technology Update
* Featured reader resource
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Today's focus:

Open source vs. Windows: Security debate rages

By Ellen Messmer

It's a topic of fierce debate among high-tech cognoscenti:
What's more secure - "open source" code such as Linux and
Apache, or proprietary "closed source" operating systems and
applications, Microsoft's in particular?

The regularity with which Microsoft has taken to announcing
vulnerabilities and consequent software fixes has left few
cheering about its security. In contrast, high expectations
endure for open source, with proponents arguing that it's
inherently more secure because a much larger set of developers
can read the code, vet it and correct problems.

"I'm struggling to think of anyone who would argue the other
way," says Adam Jollans, chief Linux technologist at IBM
Software Group.

"Discovery is different in the open source and closed source
approach," Jollans says. "Because source code is visible to lots
of people, if there is a security issue, it tends to be spotted
earlier. The open source community isn't shy about criticizing
bad code." He added that a version of Linux, SuSE Enterprise
Server 9, in March became the first to earn the
government-approved International Common Criteria certification
for security level 4, comparable to what Microsoft achieved with
Windows Server 2000 in security test reviews three years ago.

Tim Clarke, IT director at Manifest, a maker of electronic
voting and research tools for investment firms in England, feels
much the same way about open source security. He says open
source developers are "more agile and feel more exposed on a
personal level to criticism at whatever level that might be
aimed at their products."

To read more go to:
<http://www.networkworld.com/nltechupdate2972>
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To contact:

Ellen Messmer is Senior Editor, Enterprise Applications at
Network World, she can be reached at: emessmer@nww.com
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This newsletter is sponsored by DuPont
Limiting the Plenum Cable Fire Risks

Concerns are rising about the growing number of combustible
cables present in commercial buildings required to service the
ever-increasing demands of IT networks. More workstations are
taxing our infrastructure. These concerns are the thrust behind
new "limited combustible" cables that reduces fire safety risk.
Learn more by reading this white paper now.
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