[ISN] 10 Reasons Why Microsoft Should Have Discussed Security At CES

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/10-Reasons-Why-Microsoft-Should-Have-Discussed-Security-At-CES-498844/

By Don Reisinger
eWEEK.com
2010-01-11

News Analysis: The big news that came out of CES was a tsunami of new 
smartphones and tablet PC designs. But Microsoft, arguably the most 
important company at the show, could have made security the theme at CES 
this year. Unfortunately, it didn't. And users are left wondering how to 
keep their data secure going forward.

The Consumer Electronics Show is a spectacle. It's a place where massive 
tech companies and small startups come together to show off neat, new 
ideas. Some companies focus on PCs, others attempt to innovate with 
products that consumers have never seen.

For the tech lover, it's an exciting show that kicks off the new year. 
The only problem is, so many of the products on the showroom floor won't 
hit store shelves in the next year. Still others are concept items that 
may or may not work in a real-life setting. In too many cases, CES 
blinds consumers with flashy products that they might never see in their 
homes.

As disappointing as that might be, it's how things go at CES. But just 
because there is a certain norm that all companies align with, it 
doesn't mean that Microsoft, arguably one of the most important 
companies at CES, couldn't have spent its time at the show talking about 
security.

It might not be as exciting as a new tablet or Project Natal, but 
security has the greatest impact on both consumers and the enterprise. 
And considering Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer gave the keynote address 
that kicked off CES, he could have made a big splash.

Instead, Ballmer spent his time talking about phones and computers. On 
the showroom floor, Microsoft did nothing to push forward the hope for 
better security. It was a missed opportunity for the software giant. And 
it could cost it in the court of public opinion. Here's why Microsoft 
should have discussed security at CES:


1. The keynote

Unlike any other company at the Consumer Electronics Show, Microsoft had 
an opportunity to exploit captive media attention at its keynote 
address. Microsoft could have discussed how it plans to implement a 
security plan that will help keep users' data far more secure than it 
has in the past. Ballmer's keynote was an opportunity for Microsoft to 
set the tone for security in 2010. It missed the mark.

[...]


________________________________________ 
Did a friend send you this? From now on, be the 
first to find out! Subscribe to InfoSec News 
http://www.infosecnews.org