Foreword

Experience is often the best teacher. That’s true for life in general and certainly true for cybersecurity. In my experience in the security world, including 32 years at the Central Intelligence Agency, I’ve not found anyone with more experience in the theory and practice of protecting data than David Knox. David’s expertise in this field is born of both his academic training and especially his more than eight years of hands-on experience with Oracle Corporation. In my view, the real value of this book is centered in David’s ability to treat technical issues in depth as well as his ability to discuss these issues in terms that the less technically inclined of us can understand. That’s especially important today because cybersecurity is as much a responsibility of the CEO and the Board of Directors as it is of the organization’s information technology provider. This book may not replace your favorite mystery novel on your bedside table, but I guarantee it will become dog-eared with use. Mine has.

—David W. Carey
former Executive Director
of the Central Intelligence Agency