Passing of a Pioneer

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

________________________________________
From: Gene Spafford [gene.spafford () gmail com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 8:08 PM
To: David Farber
Subject: Passing of a Pioneer

Passing of Computing and Information Security Pioneer

On November 18, 2007, noted computer pioneer James P. Anderson, Jr.,
died at his home in Pennsylvania. Jim, 77, had finally retired in
August.

Jim, born in Easton, Pennsylvania, graduated from Penn State with a
degree in Meteorology. From 1953 to 1956 he served in the U.S. Navy as
a Gunnery Officer and later as a Radio Officer. This later service
sparked his initial interest in cryptography and information security.

Jim was unaware in 1956, when he took his first job at Univac
Corporation, that his career in computers had begun. Hired by John
Mauchly to program meteorological data, Dr. Mauchly soon became a
family friend and mentor. In 1959, Jim went to Burroughs Corporation
as manager of the Advanced Systems Technology Department in the
Research Division, where he explored issues of compilation, parallel
computing, and computer security.  While there, he conceived of and
was one of the patent holders of one of the first multiprocessor
systems, the D-825. After being manager of Systems Development at
Auerbach Corporation from 1964 to 1966, Jim formed an independent
consulting firm, James P. Anderson Company, which he maintained until
his retirement.

Jim's contributions to information security involved both the abstract
and the practical. He is generally credited with the invention and
explication of the reference monitor (in 1972) and audit trail-based
intrusion detection (in 1980).  He was involved in many broad studies
in information security needs and vulnerabilities. This included
participation on the 1968 Defense Science Board Task Force on Computer
Security that produced the "Ware Report", defining the technical
challenges of computer security. He was then the deputy chair and
editor of a follow-on report to the U.S. Air Force in 1972. That
report, widely known as "The Anderson Report", defined the research
agenda in information security for well over a decade. Jim was also
deeply involved in the development of a number of other seminal
standards, policies and over 200 reports including BLACKER, the TCSEC
(aka "The Orange Book"), TNI, and other documents in "The Rainbow
Series".

Jim consulted for major corporations and government agencies,
conducting reviews of security policy and practice. He had long-
standing consulting arrangements with computer companies, defense and
intelligence agencies and telecommunication firms. He was a mentor and
advisor to many in the community who went on to prominence in the
field of cyber security. Jim is well remembered for his very practical
and straightforward analyses, especially in his insights about how
operational security lapses could negate strong computing safeguards,
and about the poor quality design and coding of most software products.

Jim eschewed public recognition of his many accomplishments,
preferring that his work speak for itself.  His accomplishments have
long been known within the community, and in 1990 he was honored with
the NIST/NCSC (NSA) National Computer Systems Security Award,
generally considered the most prestigious award in the field. In his
acceptance remarks Jim observed that success in computer security
design would be when its results were used with equal ease and
confidence by average people as well as security professionals - a
state we have yet to achieve.

Jim had broad interests, deep concerns, great insight and a rare
willingness to operate out of the spotlight. His sense of humor and
patience with those earnestly seeking knowledge were greatly admired,
as were his candid responses to the clueless and self-important.

With the passing of Jim Anderson the community has lost a friend,
mentor and colleague, and the field of cyber security has lost one of
its founding fathers.

Jim is survived by his wife, Patty, his son Jay, daughter Beth and
three grandchildren. In lieu of other recognition, people may make
donations to their favorite charities in memory of Jim.

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