Oral history interview with Donn B. Parker

Abstract

Donn Parker, a renowned expert on computer security, begins by discusses his education and early programming and managerial work at General Dynamics and the Control Data Corporation (CDC). The bulk of the interview concentrates on developments and contexts to Parker’s subsequent work at SRI on computer security and computer crime. This pioneering research, which was funded by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Justice, provided Parker with the substance for a number of influential books. Parker also discusses the emergence of the computer security industry, IBM’s contributions to the field, and computer security legislation. He concludes by addressing aspects of the contemporary computer security situation, best practices to prevent breaches, and his formation of the International Information Integrity Institute (I4).