Re: Column Redaction

From: Joe Conway <mail(at)joeconway(dot)com>
To: Simon Riggs <simon(at)2ndQuadrant(dot)com>, Rod Taylor <rod(dot)taylor(at)gmail(dot)com>
Cc: Stephen Frost <sfrost(at)snowman(dot)net>, Thom Brown <thom(at)linux(dot)com>, Damian Wolgast <damian(dot)wolgast(at)si-co(dot)net>, Heikki Linnakangas <hlinnakangas(at)vmware(dot)com>, PostgreSQL-development <pgsql-hackers(at)postgresql(dot)org>, Claudio Freire <klaussfreire(at)gmail(dot)com>
Subject: Re: Column Redaction
Date: 2014-10-11 13:41:26
Message-ID: 54393386.8040607@joeconway.com
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On 10/11/2014 02:40 AM, Simon Riggs wrote:
> As soon as you issue the above query, you have clearly indicated
> your intention to steal. Receiving information is no longer
> accidental, it is an explicit act that is logged in the auditing
> system against your name. This is sufficient to bury you in court
> and it is now a real deterrent. Redaction has worked.
>
> Redaction is similar to a 3m high razor wire fence. The fence
> reminds you of what is correct and dissuades you from going
> further. The fence does not prevent access by a determined and
> skillful agent (Rod), but the CCTV cameras that are set out will
> record the action. It will be almost impossible to claim you were
> just walking your dog, and the wire cutters were a gift for your
> brother in law.
>
> Redaction prevents accidental information loss only, forcing any
> loss that occurs to be explicit. It ensures that loss of
> information can be tied clearly back to an individual, like an ink
> packet that stains the fingers of a thief.
>
> I don't have a word or pithy phrase for this concept. Maybe
> something related to "forcing their hand", flushing game into the
> open, or simply preventing "tipping your hand" and inadvertently
> allowing data loss.
>
> Redaction clearly relies completely on auditing before it can have
> any additional effect. And the effectiveness of redaction needs to
> be understood next to Rod's example.
>
> Since it relies on auditing, we need to do that first.

This is a really good summary. I definitely know of folks who would be
interested in this feature, but I also agree, as you have said, it
relies on a good audit trail.

Joe

- --
Joe Conway
credativ LLC: http://www.credativ.us
Linux, PostgreSQL, and general Open Source
Training, Service, Consulting, & 24x7 Support
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