RE: Re: Trusted OS... trusting the company that builds them

[Rick Smith <rick_smith () securecomputing com>]

At 06:10 AM 04/11/2000 -0400, Anton J Aylward wrote:
> Speaking of these products, how much confidence do we have
> in the financial stability and future of the companies that
> build them?   How do they hold up?
>
> We can debate the technical merits all day, but if the company
> turns to fairy dust of any colour, what use is the software?

I look at it this way: if the product succeeds then it will probably remain
available. If it's being propped up by artificially induced demand (the
Orange Book model) then the product has a bigger risk of self-destruct,
leaving the customers hanging.

This is going to be true regardless of the size of the company. Take a look
at the different products that have been produced in "MLS" versions over
the years, and count the much-smaller number of those products available
today. Take particular notice of the number of Big Name companies (or
former Big Names) that produced these now-nonexistent products.

As a practical matter, if a company with a successful product
self-destructs or simply decides to drop the product, there's a good chance
that some other company will take over and continue to offer the product.
Companies, and bankruptcy trustees, can make money by selling off an
unnecessary product line, and it costs money to launch something new.

Rick.
smith () securecomputing com