How can we explain to people what is the advantage of using tamper-resistant hardware. What is the advantage of hardware separation – something our platform provides even when packaged as a cloud service.
Photo: SplitShire (yes, it’s 1/2 litre of one of the big brands – not a pint of a local real ale)
People tend to say that, e.g., software encryption is quite enough for their needs. I find it hard to explain how to use common sense for security, that everyone has his/here motives and interests that are not quite aligned with anyone else, including users. Right, maybe I’m just too distrusting of authorities, corporations, etcetera, as I remember communism from my home country Czechoslovakia.
Cloud providers promise to look after our data, with all technology available.
“… you inherit all the best … policies, architecture, and operational processes built to satisfy the requirements of our most security sensitive customers …”
How far can such a promise go? The answer has changed recently due to Snowden effect. Authorities can request access to our data and serve an injunction at the same time, so no-one can tell “owners” of the data in question.
I believe that tamper-resistant hardware restores the balance of interests – cloud providers can still do their business, while customers keep good-enough control over their data.
Is it really the case we want and do trust big brands, or is it a bit a question of price? I ponder … do you?