Technology Firm With Ties to Microsoft Fires Executive Over Criticism

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

Forwarded from: Richard Forno <rforno () infowarrior org>

Very disturbing developments.....and we wonder why IT security will never
really improve....look no further than this story to learn why.

-rick
Infowarrior.org


http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGASNQR81LD.html

By Ted Bridis
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - The chief technology officer for a technology firm
that works closely with Microsoft Corp. lost his job after he helped
write a study critical of the insecurity of Microsoft software.

Daniel E. Geer Jr., an expert with nearly three decades studying
technology and computer security, learned Thursday he was no longer
employed by AtStake Inc. of Cambridge, Mass.

(if he did this report w/o telling anyone at his company, I can
understand why they might've fired him, particularly since he's an
executive and that carries some PR value/perception.......rf)

< snip >

But critics said Geer's firing was reflective of Microsoft's
far-reaching ability in Washington and across the technology industry
to silence experts who complain about weaknesses in its software or
its aggressive business practices. The Justice Department struggled
years ago to find technology executives willing to testify against
Microsoft in its antitrust trial.

< snip >

The CCIA trade group also ran into trouble Thursday when it sought to
send a paid announcement about its critical Microsoft report to
140,000 subscribers of popular trade magazines for chief security
officers and chief information officers.

The publisher for CIO and CSO magazines, CXO Media Inc., offers such
announcements "to target a specific market segment of our audience by
designing a list of prospects for direct mail and e-mail purposes."

But in this case, the subject was too touchy.  (too touchy?  And the
untold reams of MS security bulletins clogging our inboxes each week,
and the money we loose each year dealing with MS' crap ISN'T a touchy
subject?.....rf)

"We find it is too sensitive of material to send out. I'm sorry to be
the bearer of bad news, but I have to deny your request," according to
an e-mail from the publisher obtained by The Associated Press.



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