Carry On: Sound Advice from Schneier on Security

Carry On compiles key essays and writings from security expert Bruce Schneier's monthly newsletter, blog posts, and published articles. The book organizes his insights on cybersecurity, privacy, terrorism, and technological vulnerabilities into thematic sections that build upon each other. The content spans from 2002 to 2013, addressing major security events and developments during that period through Schneier's analytical lens. Each piece examines real-world security challenges and solutions, from airport screening protocols to data breaches, while explaining complex technical concepts for a general audience. The essays maintain relevance despite their original publication dates by focusing on fundamental security principles and human behavior patterns rather than specific technologies. Schneier draws from his experience as a cryptographer and security consultant to evaluate both the technical and psychological aspects of security systems. This collection represents a broader exploration of how security interacts with society, policy, and human nature. Through clear analysis and real-world examples, it challenges readers to think critically about the tradeoffs between security measures and their actual effectiveness.

Readers found the book delivers bite-sized security insights drawn from Schneier's blog posts and articles. Many noted it functions as a reference book rather than a cover-to-cover read. Likes: - Clear explanations of complex security topics - Relevant real-world examples - Concise format makes it easy to browse - Maintains relevance despite technological changes - Balanced perspective on security tradeoffs Dislikes: - Content overlaps with Schneier's blog - Some essays feel dated or repetitive - Limited technical depth - Price high for recycled blog content "Perfect bathroom reading for security professionals" - Amazon reviewer "Would have preferred new content rather than blog archives" - Goodreads review Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (194 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (31 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (11 ratings)

The Art of Deception by Kevin D. Mitnick A collection of real-world security stories demonstrates how human psychology and social engineering lead to security breaches.

The Code Book by Simon Singh The history of cryptography and codebreaking illustrates fundamental security principles through historical examples and technical explanations.

The Cuckoo's Egg by Clifford Stoll A firsthand account of tracking a computer hacker in the 1980s reveals the practical realities of cybersecurity and network defense.

Click Here to Kill Everybody by Bruce Schneier An examination of security risks in the Internet of Things demonstrates the intersection of technology, policy, and human behavior.

Ghost in the Wires by Kevin D. Mitnick The autobiographical account of a famous hacker shows how security systems fail through a combination of technical vulnerabilities and human weakness.

🔒 Bruce Schneier coined the term "security theater" to describe measures that make people feel safer without actually improving security, like many TSA procedures at airports. 💻 The book collects essays originally published on Schneier's blog "Schneier on Security," which has been running since 2004 and receives over 250,000 readers monthly. 🔑 Despite being one of the world's foremost cryptography experts, Schneier argues throughout the book that human factors, not technology, are usually the weakest link in security systems. 📚 The essays in "Carry On" were specifically selected to remain relevant long after their original publication dates, focusing on timeless security principles rather than temporary threats. 🎓 Schneier's influence extends beyond security - he's been called a "security guru" by The Economist and has testified before Congress multiple times about cybersecurity and privacy issues.