Tiger Team
If you’re at all interested in physical security as well as computer security (or, alternatively, if you find it interesting to think about security systems as opposed to just components of those systems) a new TV show called Tiger Team might be worth a look.
The idea is pretty self-explanatory if you’ve heard of the concept of a tiger team elsewhere: this is a “reality” show in which the heroes break real-world security systems using a combination of technology, brass neck and dumpster diving. Rather like Mission: Impossible but without Peter Graves and (so far) without the rubber masks. What’s not to like?
Unfortunately, I can’t see any evidence that this series will be shown anywhere here in the UK, but you can stream the pilot episode from the cable channel’s web site, at least for now. It’s interesting to watch the ways in which the target’s (fairly good) security fails when approached in the right way, and the presentation isn’t too grating even for my sensitive British ears. Some of what you see is obviously re-enactment, but I guess that’s “reality” TV for you.
[Updated 2019-05-02: pilot episode no longer available.]
Typical. I search for half an hour and then seconds after posting I stumble across the reference by accident :-/
http://weblog.infoworld.com/zeroday/archives/2007/12/it_security_goe.html
Second comment at time of posting.
— Graham Toal on March 7, 2008
I remember reading about this a couple of months back where someone who knew the inside details of their car dealership exploit said that the show was bogus. Unfortunately I can’t find that article again. If it turns up, I’ll post it. Meanwhile treat the series with the normal level of skepticism reserved for American ‘reality TV’.
— Graham Toal on March 7, 2008