IN MEMORY OF SHON HARRIS
In the summer of 2014, Shon asked me to write a foreword for the new edition of her CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide. I was honored to do that, and the following two paragraphs are that original foreword. Following that, I will say more about my friend, the late Shon Harris.
The cyber security field is still relatively new and has been evolving as technology advances. Every decade or so, we have an advance or two that seems to change the game. For example, in the 1990s we were focused primarily on “perimeter defense.” Lots of money was spent on perimeter devices like firewalls to keep the bad guys out. Around 2000, recognizing that perimeter defense alone was insufficient, the “defense in depth” approach became popular, and we spent another decade trying to build layers of defense and detect the bad guys who were able to get past our perimeter defenses. Again, lots of money was spent, this time on intrusion detection, intrusion prevention, and end-point solutions. Then, around 2010, following the lead of the U.S. government in particular, we began to focus on “continuous monitoring,” the goal being to catch the bad guys inside the network if they get past the perimeter defense and the defense in depth. Security information and event management (SIEM) technology has emerged as the best way to handle this continuous monitoring requirement. The latest buzz phrase is “active defense,” which refers to the ability to respond in real time through a dynamic and changing defense that works to contain the attacker and allow the organization to recover quickly and get back to business. We are starting to see the re-emergence of honeypots combined with sandbox technology to bait and trap attackers for further analysis of their activity. One thing is common throughout this brief historical survey: the bad guys keep getting in and we keep responding to try and keep up, if not prevent them in the first place. This cat-and-mouse game will continue for the foreseeable future.
As the cyber security field continuously evolves to meet the latest emerging threats, each new strategy and tactic brings with it a new set of terminology and concepts for the security professional to master. The sheer bulk of the body of knowledge can be overwhelming, particularly to newcomers. As a security practitioner, consultant, and business leader, I am often asked by aspiring security practitioners where to start when trying to get into the field. I often refer them to Shon’s CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide, not necessarily for the purpose of becoming a CISSP, but so that they may have in one resource the body of knowledge in the field. I am also often asked by experienced security practitioners how to advance in the field. I encourage them to pursue CISSP certification and, once again, I refer them to Shon’s book. Some are destined to become leaders in the field, and the CISSP is a solid certificate for managers. Other security professionals I encounter are just looking for more breadth of knowledge, and I recommend Shon’s book to them too as a good one-stop reference for that. This book has stood the test of time. It has evolved as the field has evolved and stands as the single most important book in the cyber security field, period. I have personally referred to it several times throughout my career and keep a copy near me at all times on my Kindle. Simply put, if you are in the cyber security field, you need a copy of this book.
On a personal note, little did I know that within months of writing the preceding foreword, Shon would no longer be with us. I counted Shon as a good friend and still admire her for her contribution to the field. I met Shon at a CISSP boot camp in 2002. I had just learned of the CISSP and within weeks found myself in her class. I had no clue that she had already written several books by that time and was a true leader in the field. I must have chattered away during our lunch sessions, because a few months after the class, she reached out to me and said, “Hey, I remember you were interested in writing. I have a new project that I need help on. Would you like to help?” After an awkward pause, as I picked myself up from the floor, I told her that I felt underqualified, but yes! That started a journey that has blessed me many times over. The book was called Gray Hat Hacking and is now in the fourth edition. From the book came many consulting, writing, and teaching opportunities, such as Black Hat. Then, as I retired from the Marine Corps, in 2008, there was Shon, right on cue: “Hey, I have an opportunity to provide services to a large company. Would you like to help?” Just like that, I had my first large client, launching my company, which I was able to grow, with Shon’s help, and then sell a couple of years ago. During the 12 years I knew her, Shon continued to give me opportunities to become much more than I could have dreamed. She never asked for a thing in return, simply saying, “You take it and run with it, I am too busy doing other things.” As I think back over my career after the Marine Corps, I owe most of my success to Shon. I have shared this story with others and found that I am not the only one; Shon blessed so many people with her giving spirit. I am convinced there are many “Shon” stories like this one out there. She touched so many people in the security field and more than lived up to the nickname I had for her, Miss CISSP.
Without a doubt, Shon was the most kindhearted, generous, and humble person in the field. If you knew Shon, I know you would echo that sentiment. If you did not know Shon, I hope that through these few words, you understand why she was so special and why there had to be another edition of this book. I have been asked several times over the last year, “Do you think there will be another edition? The security field and CISSP certification have both changed so much, we need another edition.” For this reason, I am excited this new edition came to be. Shon would have wanted the book to go on helping people to be the best they can be. I believe we, as a profession, need this book to continue. So, I am thankful that the team from McGraw-Hill and Fernando are honoring Shon in this way and continuing her legacy. She truly deserves it. Shon, you are missed and loved by so many. Through this book, your generous spirit lives on, helping others.
Dr. Allen Harper, CISSP (thanks to Shon)
Executive Director, Center for Cyber Excellence, Liberty University