My original blog posting on Windows for Submarines seems to have caused a bit of a stramash in the blogsphere. The comments vary from Victor Meldrew ‘I don’t believe it’ incredulity about the potential for the blue screen of death (that’s the way the commentators put it, not me) to the recognition that it makes sense to use commercial off-the-shelf software where it is fit for purpose and cost-effective.
As I indicated in the original blog posting, Windows for Submarines is one of many project areas where the UK MOD has the opportunity to input to the features and functionality of Microsoft products through close interaction with the relevant product development teams.
Another relatively recent example is the collaborative work between the MOD and Microsoft to improve the communications efficiency and reliability of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista via satellite communications from locations where troops are deployed. These are typically remote locations such as Iraq and Afghanistan where ‘normal’ networking infrastructure simply does not exist or is woefully inadequate and the only reliable network is satellite-based. All applications need to operate efficiently to minimise the risk of slowing down performance and also helping to reduce satellite transmission costs.
So contrary to the commentators who refer to the Royal Navy and BAE Systems working with Microsoft as ‘welcome to the dark side’, I hope this update helps to clarify that Windows for Submarines is not a one-off but part of a coherent and long-term programme of joint-engagement between Microsoft and strategic Public Sector customers such as the UK MOD.
Posted by Ian
“Ed the Fed” has written to me again. For those who are new to the blog, Ed’s a legend around here as the Microsoft UK Chief Cyber-Security Advisor. We call him “Ed the Fed”, because of his career history at the FBI and other places – which obviously makes him an ideal person to ask about Information Security. (This cutout of Ed sits in our atrium!)
Ed writes in a ‘unique’ style, and given that we’re approaching Christmas, I thought this might make an ideal email to pass on to colleagues. And Ed really does mean it when he signs off with his email address – he’s always keen to respond to questions and offer advice.
For more good advice from Ed, take a look at “Ed the Fed says Stay Safe out There” on this blog from earlier this year.
Anyway, over to Ed:
. .. .Yes, pigs can fly and the “X-Files” programs are true, but When Will the Fat Lady Sing? A few days ago we read about the £38billion ponzi or advance fee scheme run by the former Chairman of NASDAQ – Bernard Madoff. Investment Securities International Limited, in London, was one of his operations. We didn’t need to read any tea leaves to know that the age old questions will again be asked, “How could this happen?”, “Where were the regulators?”, “How could reputable companies and institutions have been suckered?” We do know he was not a William Shakespeare’s ‘shylock’; in fact, he was “a most beloved human being”. The character references we hear about this guy remind me of the interviews of neighbours living next to Jeffrey Dahmer following his arrest, “He was such a nice person. We would have dinners at his home.” Let’s get real! We all know how this happened. White Collar Criminals are the best in the league. Having investigated scores of massive complex fraud schemes during my career as an FBI Agent, there was always one common thread. They gave what their victims wanted. Hope. A couple of them even wrote to me from their prison cells because I gave them what they craved. Attention. So, this begs the very question: “Has the fat lady sung?” And that’s why I am once again going to print my list of online things for you to stay away from no matter how good they might look. 1) Banks will NEVER ask you to verify your account details – they already have your details. 2) MySpace, Bebo, Facebook, and ALL other social network sites are OPEN by default. Unless you want everyone (including that bully at school, the nosey neighbour, your boss, your mother, or the paedophile in Thailand) looking at your site, NEVER use it until you make it PRIVATE. Go into settings and follow the instructions. See www.safesocialnetworking.com. Same goes with Instant Messenger – if you don’t know the person, don’t add them as a contact. 3) Microsoft has not and NEVER will hold a Lottery. 4) You know if you have relatives in Nigeria or West Africa. NEVER ‘help’ someone you don’t know move money from a foreign country – that makes you a criminal too! 5) NEVER click a hyperlink in an email from someone you don’t know. And be wise, unless you know who is sending you the online Birthday or Christmas card NEVER click on it – it’s loaded with malware or will redirect you to someplace you don’t want to be. Miscreants and criminals frequently abuse the ‘Hallmark’ name because it is so recognizable. If your name is not in the body of the email, do not click on it. 6) Wireless Internet: Make sure your wireless internet is secure (WEP is okay, WPA is better – and if you don’t know what these terms mean, read the instructions that came with your wireless device. If that fails, do NOT use your wireless internet until you find a trusted advisor to fix it (generally your neighbour’s 8 or 9 year old kid). 7) There is no free lunch. NEVER reply to email requests for charitable contributions. You call the charity yourself and know who you are talking to. 8) If there is a free lunch it’s because you are going to pay for it. NEVER reply to pop up ads telling you to run free anti-spyware or anti-malware to get rid of spyware or viruses. You can be certain they will ‘find’ bad stuff on your computer requiring you to buy what they want to sell. OR they will load stealth software onto your computer to steal what’s important to you. 9) NEVER think you are smarter than the criminal. You may be, but if you reply, you lose, you will always lose. 10) Falling in love at first sight does happen – and it’s fabulous when it does – but falling in love online, whether in Second Life or another online virtual world, can be dangerous. Hey, if you are scoring a 4 or 5 in real life, you gotta wonder why a 9 or 10 is chatting you up online. Happy Holidays everyone! See you in 2009. Ed Edward P Gibson Chief Security Advisor Microsoft Ltd UK PS As always, I look forward to hearing from you at EdGibson@Microsoft.com
. .. .Yes, pigs can fly and the “X-Files” programs are true, but When Will the Fat Lady Sing?
A few days ago we read about the £38billion ponzi or advance fee scheme run by the former Chairman of NASDAQ – Bernard Madoff. Investment Securities International Limited, in London, was one of his operations. We didn’t need to read any tea leaves to know that the age old questions will again be asked, “How could this happen?”, “Where were the regulators?”, “How could reputable companies and institutions have been suckered?” We do know he was not a William Shakespeare’s ‘shylock’; in fact, he was “a most beloved human being”. The character references we hear about this guy remind me of the interviews of neighbours living next to Jeffrey Dahmer following his arrest, “He was such a nice person. We would have dinners at his home.”
Let’s get real! We all know how this happened. White Collar Criminals are the best in the league. Having investigated scores of massive complex fraud schemes during my career as an FBI Agent, there was always one common thread. They gave what their victims wanted. Hope. A couple of them even wrote to me from their prison cells because I gave them what they craved. Attention. So, this begs the very question: “Has the fat lady sung?” And that’s why I am once again going to print my list of online things for you to stay away from no matter how good they might look.
1) Banks will NEVER ask you to verify your account details – they already have your details.
2) MySpace, Bebo, Facebook, and ALL other social network sites are OPEN by default. Unless you want everyone (including that bully at school, the nosey neighbour, your boss, your mother, or the paedophile in Thailand) looking at your site, NEVER use it until you make it PRIVATE. Go into settings and follow the instructions. See www.safesocialnetworking.com. Same goes with Instant Messenger – if you don’t know the person, don’t add them as a contact.
3) Microsoft has not and NEVER will hold a Lottery.
4) You know if you have relatives in Nigeria or West Africa. NEVER ‘help’ someone you don’t know move money from a foreign country – that makes you a criminal too!
5) NEVER click a hyperlink in an email from someone you don’t know. And be wise, unless you know who is sending you the online Birthday or Christmas card NEVER click on it – it’s loaded with malware or will redirect you to someplace you don’t want to be. Miscreants and criminals frequently abuse the ‘Hallmark’ name because it is so recognizable. If your name is not in the body of the email, do not click on it.
6) Wireless Internet: Make sure your wireless internet is secure (WEP is okay, WPA is better – and if you don’t know what these terms mean, read the instructions that came with your wireless device. If that fails, do NOT use your wireless internet until you find a trusted advisor to fix it (generally your neighbour’s 8 or 9 year old kid).
7) There is no free lunch. NEVER reply to email requests for charitable contributions. You call the charity yourself and know who you are talking to.
8) If there is a free lunch it’s because you are going to pay for it. NEVER reply to pop up ads telling you to run free anti-spyware or anti-malware to get rid of spyware or viruses. You can be certain they will ‘find’ bad stuff on your computer requiring you to buy what they want to sell. OR they will load stealth software onto your computer to steal what’s important to you.
9) NEVER think you are smarter than the criminal. You may be, but if you reply, you lose, you will always lose.
10) Falling in love at first sight does happen – and it’s fabulous when it does – but falling in love online, whether in Second Life or another online virtual world, can be dangerous. Hey, if you are scoring a 4 or 5 in real life, you gotta wonder why a 9 or 10 is chatting you up online.
Happy Holidays everyone!
See you in 2009.
Ed
Edward P Gibson
Chief Security Advisor
Microsoft Ltd UK
PS As always, I look forward to hearing from you at EdGibson@Microsoft.com
I acknowledge that the title for this blog posting is an intriguing concept but I thought it would get your attention better than the official project name – Submarine Command System Next Generation (SMCS NG).
Windows for Submarines is the programme undertaken by the Royal Navy and BAE Systems to equip the nuclear-propelled and nuclear-armed warship fleet with a Windows-based command system. The transition to the Windows for Submarines command system on HMS Vigilant, a Trident nuclear missile submarine, was completed in just 18 days.
The Windows for Submarines programme is an example of one of the many areas where Microsoft works in partnership with the MOD to ensure that our products have the resilience, security and communications efficiency required to operate effectively in challenging military environments.
On Monday, Milton Keynes Council won a European Union e-inclusion award in the Cultural Diversity Category. A UK ministerial delegation attended the e-inclusion award ceremony including the Deputy Digital Inclusion Minister Wayne David MP. The council was selected for their innovative use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to help digitally and socially-disadvantaged citizens. The programme they have put in place, supported by Microsoft, is already improving the quality of life for many citizens.
You can see the details of the Milton Keynes award-winning entry here.
Microsoft supported Milton Keynes through our Digital Skills for Citizens (DS4C) programme which was an integral part of their bid to win this award. The DS4C programme is a Microsoft initiative which gives everyone the opportunity to become IT literate. It makes technology accessible, helping improve the digital skills of people who could otherwise not afford access to IT resources. This allows people on the wrong side of the ‘digital divide’ to realise their potential in a society where IT literacy is now a professional and social requisite.
The scheme also meets government environment objectives as it makes uses of refurbished PCs. A refurbished PC is provided by a Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher with low cost Microsoft core software and key learning packages as part of the programme. The refurbished PC is rented, sold or given to citizens that are deemed to be disadvantaged by their local authority, with the aim of enabling them to become digitally included and enjoy the same access to online information and social networks enjoyed by the majority of the population.
The council can also provide Microsoft Live email accounts that associate their council with the service. For example, Milton Keynes uses the standard format for email addresses provided through their e-inclusion programme of username@connectmk.com. Milton Keynes also has a website where citizens can apply online for a low-cost rental PC and online access service.
We are delighted at the well-deserved success of Milton Keynes with their innovative e-inclusion programme.
To find out more about the DS4C programme please contact Stephanie Muzzall: t-stmuzz@microsoft.com
Posted by Stephanie