The Key 3 from Colin Powell
January 18, 2008 | Filed Under The Client Speaks, General
The New Yorker has an article this week about Mike McConnell, the current director of National Intelligence.
When writer Lawrence Wright is recounting Mr. McConnell’s experience in the 1990s as an aide to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he describes a notable encounter with then-chairman General Colin Powell. Mr. McConnell was briefing the general on developments in the first Iraq war, and fell short with some answers.
Expecting to be upbraided, Mr. McConnell was surprised when General Powell was not troubled by the words “I don’t know,” and responded instead with his rules for an intelligence agent:
Tell me what you know, then tell me what you don’t know, and only then can you tell me what you think. Always keep those three separated.
Since legal counsel are agents of intelligence, I found this worth writing down.
(No mention whether Mr. Powell was still employing these three rules when being briefed in advance of his later testimony before the United Nations.)
Data Security: IP Yes; Db No?
June 4, 2007 | Filed Under Technology, Compliance, General
A recent white paper prepared by Application Security and sponsored by the Ponemon Institute shows that organizations may be more focused on protecting their IP over various sensitive Dbs (databases). It’s a constant struggle trying to figure out how to protect data while allowing necessary access. Two key findings:
- Forty percent said their organizations don’t monitor their databases for suspicious activity, or don’t know if such monitoring occurs. Notably, more than half of these organizations have 500 or more databases – and the number of databases is growing.
- “Trusted” insiders’ ability to compromise critical data was cited as the most serious concern – with 57 percent perceiving inadequate protection against malicious insiders and 55 percent for “data loss” by internal entities.
We’ve previously seen the data security risks posed by departing employees. Law departments need to understand what their IT brethren are doing about this, knowing that some of the biggest potential risks are posed by the very people you are asking.
Goin’ South…
February 10, 2007 | Filed Under General
The Wired GC is leaving this:
For this:
Seems like something the Reasonable Man would do. Time to work on a tan to get ready for total shroud removal.
Back next week…
Happy Birthday to GC
December 20, 2006 | Filed Under General
The Wired GC is celebrating today…
Two years flies by when you’re having fun; thanks to all who read, cite, syndicate and (especially) respond. And a big hug to Wife of Wired GC, for all the support and proofreading.
Starting today we go into a more festive mode, with a few new items between now and the New Year. (I haven’t forgotten about Friday’s promise to post about a GC’s options when responding to higher billing rates; but the subject seems to lack the requisite cheer, so it can wait a bit.)
All the best this holiday season; I hope you find your stocking full, your email in-box empty and your targets already met.
And in January 2007, the Wired GC will take off the mask. It’s beginning to itch and the suit is a bear in the summer…
All Hail Buckeyes!
November 19, 2006 | Filed Under General
Homage must be paid. They beat the Wolverines fair and square.
Part of the reason is that they have the best fans.
Just wait until next year! (The Wired GC does not believe in rematches…)
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