The inside scoop ... Security in the cloud ... Making the case for better software security

This month, we're bringing you a feature interview with Brian Chess, chief scientist and co-founder of Fortify Software. Chess talks about his background, breaches, Howard Schmidt and Fortify's accomplishments in 2009.

In the best advice column, readers offer steps to take to ensure your data is secure. We'd also like your suggestions for this month's dilemma: One of our readers needs advice on how to make the case to executives for better software security. How do you convince decision-makers of its importance so they set aside budget? Please share your thoughts with us.

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Interview with Brian Chess:

Realizing the Advantages of the Digital Age

Just after the New Year, the editors of Secure Software Advisory sat down with Brian Chess, Chief Scientist and Co-founder of Fortify Software, to get his insight on the past, present and future of software security.

Brian, let's start at the beginning. Tell us how you got involved in software security.

"Back in 1995, I was finishing my Masters at the University of California at Santa Cruz and working on circuit design problems at Hewlett Packard when a handful of random events converged and led me to the world of static analysis and software security. First, I came across the book Applied Cryptography by Bruce Schneier and thought it was really cool. I wasn't ready to turn around at that point in my education and pick up all the math that was necessary to become a cryptographer, but I clearly saw a relationship between circuit design problems and cryptography problems. Read more