Another excellent text in the Jones and Bartlett Illuminated series, Information Security Illuminated is an up-to-date coverage of "the basic elements of information security" in which the reader will find no trace of terms like infosec that litter some of the American literature. There is not even a hint of cyber words, or even IT. This is a sound, well-written text on information security that deserves a much wider audience than the students for whom it is intended.

The book deals with the principles of information security and their application, and the author has provided concise definitions of the many terms used in information security. At the end of each chapter there is a summary in the form of a bulleted list followed by a key terms section that lists terms — with brief explanations — used in the chapter. For anyone studying the subject it is a useful way of reinforcing the material.

The last part of each chapter contains challenge questions (to test the student's knowledge of the particular topic) and challenge scenarios in which the student has to apply the principles enunciated. There is a separate
Instructor's Guide that contains PowerPoint presentations, solutions, and further material; a visit to http://computerscience.jbpub.com/ will explain how instructors can obtain companion Guides for titles in the Illuminate series.

The book is not about programming, and the content is not 'technical' in the sense that the reader requires a background — or is undertaking a course — in computer science. Informed lay readers should have no difficulty in following the discussions, especially as all the terminology is defined and explained. Apart from the end-of-chapter summaries and keyword lists, there is an excellent glossary. That makes Information Security Illuminated a useful resource for anyone who has responsibility for, or is involved in, information security decisions.

The Sarbanes-Oxley act in the U.S.A. has set standards that will eventually be imposed in Australia; its thrust is to widen the net of responsibility not only to executives but employees. That responsibility is very wide ranging and takes in information security controls.

For that reason everyone in an executive or middle management position should make themselves aware of the principles and learn to 'talk the talk'. For that purpose this book is one of the best I have seen: it is comprehensive, detailed, and written in a conversational style that makes for easy reading. Highly recommended as a library acquisition.

This title is available direct from Elsevier Australia Customer Service, tel. 1800 263 951, fax 02 9517 2249, Email: customerserviceau@elsevier.com.
 

Solomon and Capple: Information Security Illuminated ISBN 0-7637-2677-X Published by Jones and Bartlett, 447 pp., RRP $105.00 incl. GST

Reprinted from the August 2006 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia

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