The real story behind BT buying Counterpane

Bruce Schneiers announced in his blog that BT (aka British Telecom) has acquired Counterpane Internet Security, Inc. Ok, so far so good. But in a blog comment Carlo Graziani told the „real“ storybehind this deal. Verry funny.:cool:

Bruce himself voted this comment for „Best blog comment ever.“

FLUNKY: Sir, that Schneier person called again. He left a detailed message.

CEO: Again? What does he want this time?

FLUNKY: Well, to begin with, he’d like BT to accept legal liability for
security compromises of our DSL customers‘ computers.

CEO: He WHAT?

FLUNKY: Yes, sir. Externalities.

CEO: Come again?

FLUNKY: He said [mumbles] externalities.

CEO: What’s an externality?

FLUNKY: I thought _you_ knew.

CEO: No idea. I haven’t read this month’s „CIO Trends“ magazine though,
maybe it’s in there. Doesn’t matter really, we’re filing this under „Hell
Freezes Over“. Anything else?

FLUNKY: Yes, sir. He wants you to start wearing your company badge to
work.

CEO: Why? Security knows who I am, and I have the key to my private
elevator anyway.

FLUNKY: Yes, er, well…

CEO: What?

FLUNKY: He’s…that is to say…

CEO: He’s after my elevator too, isn’t he?

FLUNKY: Well, he says it’s bad security to create a privileged low-security
channel for a lucky few.

CEO: He isn’t a socialist, is he?

FLUNKY: He’s a very wealthy one if he is.

CEO: HFO file. Is that it?

FLUNKY: [mumbles] password…

CEO: [steely glare] He’s after my password _again_?

FLUNKY: He seems to think that „Cat“ is weak.

CEO: I _know_ it’s weak. But two of my secretaries can’t recall how many
fingers they have without counting, and the other one can’t spell. How are
they supposed to remember my password if I make it something complicated,
like my birthday, or Mom’s name?

FLUNKY: [Looks at floor, embarrassed, would obviously rather leave at this
point, sighs again at message] It’s a funny thing, he had a few things to
say about secretaries, birthdays, Moms…

CEO: Not interested. Let’s cut to the chase. What does he want my
password changed to?

FLUNKY: dF3#(~!pk40%L/sD:@

CEO: This is a prank, right?

FLUNKY: That’s this week’s password. He has another one for next week.

CEO: Bring in his golden parachute agreement. I want to look it over.

Posted by: Carlo Graziani