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Questions and Answers
What is the main advantage of simplicity in security design?
What is the main advantage of simplicity in security design?
- Creates an illusion of security
- Makes systems harder to test thoroughly
- Reduces the number of exploitable flaws (correct)
- Increases the complexity of mechanisms
Why is a simple, small design preferred for security mechanisms?
Why is a simple, small design preferred for security mechanisms?
- To increase the maintenance requirements
- To complicate the testing process
- To reduce the chances of possessing exploitable flaws (correct)
- To make it easier for adversaries to discover weaknesses
How does complexity impact vulnerability fixing in systems?
How does complexity impact vulnerability fixing in systems?
- Makes vulnerabilities harder to fix once found (correct)
- Eliminates vulnerabilities automatically
- Makes vulnerabilities easier to identify
- Simplifies the vulnerability fixing process
What is the main problem associated with excessively complicated systems?
What is the main problem associated with excessively complicated systems?
Why is it challenging to verify complex designs thoroughly?
Why is it challenging to verify complex designs thoroughly?
What illusion can complexity create in terms of security?
What illusion can complexity create in terms of security?
How does simplicity help in managing security tasks?
How does simplicity help in managing security tasks?
What principle motivates the preference for relatively simple, small designs in security?
What principle motivates the preference for relatively simple, small designs in security?
High cohesion/low coupling principle aims to achieve what in systems?
High cohesion/low coupling principle aims to achieve what in systems?
Updating or replacing a simple mechanism is a less intensive process is true because simple mechanisms:
Updating or replacing a simple mechanism is a less intensive process is true because simple mechanisms:
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Study Notes
Economy of Mechanism Principle
- Economy of mechanism emphasizes simplicity in security design for hardware and software.
- Simple designs lead to fewer error possibilities, facilitating easier checking and testing.
- Complexity increases the number of components and cases, making security validation more challenging.
Complexity in Security
- Complexity is detrimental to security and is particularly problematic in hybrid work environments.
- Increased complexity leads to higher security costs and risks, giving adversaries an advantage.
- Sophisticated attacks increasingly utilize automation and social engineering tactics.
Disadvantages of Complexity
- Complexity can obscure vulnerabilities, making them harder to identify for developers and testers.
- Each additional feature or functionality introduces new potential threat vectors, exacerbating security risks.
Example of Complexity Risks
- The ident protocol relies on trusting the originating host.
- If an untrustworthy host (e.g., toadflax) connects and falsely identifies itself, it exploits assumptions made by trust-based mechanisms.
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