So where do we go from here? What does the future hold for information security? Predicting technology related issues has always been a tricky matter. And those that attempt it often end up with egg on their face. Consider the computer scientists who in the 1950's predicted we'd all be talking to artificially intelligent computers within 10 - 15 years. Over half a century later my PC still refuses to do my homework assignments for me. Arthur Clark wrote of artificially intelligent Hal existing in 2001, but 2001 came and went with the only thing that advanced in "AI " being in a movie with the same title. With that in mind I foolishly attempt to predict the future of information security.
If there's one theme I've always tried to relay thorough this topic it's that there are so many different facets of information security. These range from cyber-criminals to cyber-vandals. From cyber-terrorists to cyber-scam-artists. From hoaxes to viruses and worms. From simply backing up files on diskette to having elaborate contingency plans ready to go when needed. In the future some of these facets will change while others are invariable to time. All thorough history there has been individuals that earn their livelihood by stealing other people's money. The future will be no different. No matter how complex the medium gets, no matter how many deterrents are put in place, no matter how many security constraints are added, there will always be someone out there shrewd enough to find a way to steal your money. Fortunately there will also be better ways to catch them.
The Internet in its current form is highly dangerous since its very design promotes anonymity. Anonymity allows bad people to bad things without having to consider the consequences. Indeed removing anonymity from the Internet would eliminate many information security issues. I predict legislation will be introduced (and not just in the US) to require Internet users to obtain a license before using the Internet, much the way you need a license to drive or own a firearm. Of course this will cause an out roar with privacy advocates. I'll stay away from predicting the outcome of that debate and whether or not this legislation will ever pass. Though I'm highly skeptical it will, we must admit we do live in a changed world.
Still even without anonymity there is a class out there that doesn't always consider the consequences of their actions. I am referring, of course, to the class of high school seniors or all teenagers in general. So long as there are youth using the Internet there will always be computer viruses and hoaxes. (I don't think legislation will ever consider limiting the age of who can use the Internet. But who knows anymore?) The good news is people will --eventually-- learn not to click on strange files and not to forward hoaxes to all their friends. Now while I don't see this happening tomorrow, gradually people will become more educated. People like to learn the hard way. So one day someone will click on a "love letter" and have his or her computer wiped out. After the tenth or fifteenth time their hard drive is erased, folks will start being more careful what they click on --and start using, and updating, anti-virus software.
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