Mike's musings

InfoSec 2009

(backposting) Moo and I shared a car to Witham station this morning and caught the train in together. Moo never likes this very much, as I'm of the opinion that talking on the train is quite acceptable, whereas she - who has done lots of London travel for a past job - is of a very different (some might say "diametrically opposed") opinion. I think she was pretty happy that I bought a paper and kept fairly quiet.

I was going to InfoSec Europe 2009, which was quite interesting, but had fewer areas of interest to my current job than I'd hoped. It's a show which is really aimed at IT security managers, rather than architects and the like, but there was some interest. I also met a number of ex-colleagues for catch-ups, which is always interesting. I also made contact with some RIM people - the first I've met since the take-over.

We got home a little before 1800 - strangely, Moo had lots to talk about on the train after her meeting during the day - and I barbecued some marinaded pork steaks, which we had with foccaccia ("I do love a good focc." is always a good way to get your mother-in-law wound up on the phone).

Still in significant pain from the ridiculous runs that I've been doing. I think I've learnt my lesson now.

Labels: security

Conference

(backposting) I went to London to an (ISC)2 conference on content security. It was interesting, and there was some good discussion, too. Did some good networking, too, with some useful people.

Tried calling HQ as I was heading back - difficult to raise people at the moment. But I heard that things are moving.

Labels: security, work

Interment

Today I took some time in the middle of the day and did my first interment of ashes, in Halstead cemetery. It was quick, and a real privilege. The enjoyment I get from these ceremonies has been a real surprise to me, and I'm really looking forward to my first funeral on Thursday.

In work news, I'm doing some interesting work about securing machines in a new way. Not something I can talk about, but that's fun, too.

Labels: funeral, security

New project

(backposting) Started an interesting new project for work today. Hardening, secure boot, that sort of thing. Already interesting.

Labels: security, work

Solving problems

Sometimes it's good when Jo takes a while to get to sleep (or Miri). Tonight, it was only 20 minutes, and then because she kept coughing, but I didn't even need all of those solve a cryptographic protocol problem that seems to be afflicting the airline industry. I'm playing this up a bit, obviously, but I did sort out a nasty little problem while Jo was dropping off. Now just need to validate it.

Expenses. Quite a lot: still never enough.

Labels: money, security, work

Another day, another tooth

(backposting) Yup, Miri's got another one. Might explain the restless night (though not Jo's now-usual appearance in the early hours). Two down, lots to go.

Went to Cambridge today, to buy a book on system hardening: Network Security Hacks, 2nd ed. by Andrew Lockhart. It's good, and is relevant because I'm going to be doing some work with colleagues in Canada on this.

Watched Heroes (yesterday's episode) which we'd recorded. It keeps being good, doesn't it? Just how many twists can _keep_ happening?

Labels: security, sleep, television

Moo's birthday

So, the call at 0730 was cancelled. I discovered at 0727. I could have been happier.

Despite this, we had a lovely day. Jo and Mel made a cake. We went to see Buster again, and signed up, basically. As long as we pass the home assessment (and we had Victoria over this afternoon to nail up some fence sections which had suffered with the wind (and we've all had that problem, haven't we?)), it looks like we'll have a rather big Newf with us in a few days. Mad? Yes. But it all seems right.

What else? Jo passed her 2 year assessment with flying colours (can you fail this?): apparently her speech is "exceptional", and a credit to us both. We'd add Mel and Jo, but hey.

Steak and baked tatties for supper.

A couple of pictures below - Moo at Aldeburgh, and Jo at her birthday party. Finally got them transferred to the server.

Oh, and some norty person's been trying to play with Moo's credit card. Bad you.

Labels: dog, Jo, Moo, photo, security