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Security Lessons From My Car Mechanic
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Joe Stanganelli
Joe Stanganelli,
 User Rank: Ninja
2/22/2016 | 8:15:27 PM
Re: Don't know what kind of car you drive
Further compounding the issue is the lack of agreement on what some of the acronyms and other terminology should be.  (Is it XSRF or CSRF?  Depends whom you ask.)
Joe Stanganelli
Joe Stanganelli,
 User Rank: Ninja
2/22/2016 | 8:13:05 PM
oil change
If it makes you feel any better, mechanics know that the "3,000" miles or "5,000" miles recommended for oil change intervals is largely hooey.  ;)
chofijeff1
chofijeff1,
 User Rank: Apprentice
2/22/2016 | 9:08:27 AM
Re: Don't know what kind of car you drive
Adam,

Thanks for a great article and analogy. I'm sharing it with my ITSEC department. I am very strong on explainng the TLA's and FLA's and have made it my mission in life to check and make sure everyone understands the Three Letter Acronyms and Four Letter Acronyms and even more importantly what they mean and what we are discussing. I get a lot of respect and appreciation for that.

On a personal note, why an engine had to come out for a pump, I don't know, and I don't know what you drive, but pulling an engine out of any car and replacing an oil pump can't be cheap and I'm sorry that happened to you. It's pretty unusual. I'm into classic cars as a hobby. Be safe and thanks again for a great article.

Geoff
Hal Elujah
Hal Elujah,
 User Rank: Apprentice
2/19/2016 | 1:03:20 PM
Re: Don't know what kind of car you drive
I bet your mechanic told you the oil pump, not the pan, was the problem. The pan bolts on to the bottom of the engine; the pump is inside. This kind of reinforces your point about being precise and understandable in the use of terminology.
adamshostack
adamshostack,
 User Rank: Apprentice
2/19/2016 | 11:46:59 AM
Re: Don't know what kind of car you drive
Thanks Randy!  True story!  And to extend the idea a bit: how do I go about finding a new mechanic?  It takes a lot of time and energy, and at least my car runs welll after he drains my wallet. 
RandyA007
RandyA007,
 User Rank: Apprentice
2/19/2016 | 9:33:48 AM
Don't know what kind of car you drive
-but if your story is true, it may be time to get another car mechanic. But the analogy is right on target.

"Eschew Obfuscation"
scottw50
scottw50,
 User Rank: Apprentice
2/19/2016 | 9:23:46 AM
Great Article
Appreciate your approach and understanding of how the "user" sees security and tech.  Your allegory is excellent.  Anything you can do to simplfy and clarify security exchanges between tech and client is appreciated.  I'm no dummy, but I left business eight years ago and keeping up is difficult.  Thanks for a great article.
Charlie Babcock
Charlie Babcock,
 User Rank: Ninja
2/18/2016 | 3:59:52 PM
From oil pan to buffer overflow
Adrian makes a nice, down to earth analogy between car repair and system repair, and how each is preceived by the customer.


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