[time-nuts] Introducing myself

Magnus Danielson magnus at rubidium.dyndns.org
Sun Dec 2 22:36:41 UTC 2012


Hi Erich,

On 12/02/2012 09:06 PM, Erich Heine wrote:
> Hi everyone.
>
> I just wanted to introduce myself to the list. My name is Erich Heine, I'm
> a researcher at the University of Illinois. I am a programmer attached to a
> couple of projects, but the one relevant here is called TCIP (Trustworthy
> Cyber-Infrastructure for the Power Grid - url: tcipg.org).
>
> Our group does computer security research relevant the the US power grid
> infrastructure (and when relevant to all power delivery :) ). Recently
> we've had researchers looking at GPS spoofing, and are beginning to examine
> secure time synchronization more broadly. It's fascinating to discover just
> how much havoc can be caused by assuming the time signal is good enough
> when it may not be. (This seems to be the way of computer security - assume
> something is good or good enough, then someone comes along an breaks
> everything because the assumption was bad. Then everyone scrambles to get
> better solutions, and other areas become assumed "good enough". Repeat
> ad-nauseam).

I strongly advice you and anyone caring about computer security to read 
up on NTP in the forms of Prof. Dave Mills book, as well as the many 
online resources. He spent good time on figuring out ways to suspect 
everyone and then find methods of handling this situation. You can do a 
lot with a standard NTP if you only care to read up on it.

> I was pointed here by Magnus a month or two ago, after a fascinating
> discussion of just how deep this time and timing rabbit-hole goes.

Hehehe... hope I didn't scare you too much :)

> I'm quite impressed with this community - both in terms of deep knowledge and
> overall friendliness. It's been a pleasure just lurking and soaking up some
> knowledge since then.

Which is exactly what I was hoping for. I recommended this list as there 
is no better way to pick up on all the odd bits and pieces that involve 
the concept of "time" that we think we understand, but most doesn't.

> Anyway, I just wanted to say "Hi all" before I start posting questions,
> comments, etc. :)

Feel welcome! I have been waiting for you to de-lurk yourself and start 
participate. I hope your questions and comments triggers the interest of 
many, and we get a good debate.

Cheers,
Magnus



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