Cyberwar: we're in it together

Stuxnet, the first malware capable of causing physical damage, represents a strategic shift in cyberwar, something on everyone's mind at the RSA Conference on information security this year. While it's still hard to sort facts from fiction, there were calls for further cooperation between government and the private sector.

In Patch Monday this week, we give you a small taste of RSA, including comments from security guru Bruce Schneier, US Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn, head of US Cyber Command General Keith Alexander, and former heads of the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

And from Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing team, director Jeff Jones explains the company's view on collective defence.

The head of its Trustworthy Computing initiative, Scott Charney, has suggested treating internet security like a public health issue — including the controversial idea of quarantining computers that don't pass basic health checks.

Yet, as Microsoft's promotional video explains, it's more subtle than just cutting bad computers off the internet.

I'm particularly interested in what you think of Microsoft's collective defence concept. To leave an audio comment for Patch Monday, Skype to stilgherrian or phone Sydney 02 8011 3733.

Running time: 35 minutes, 53 seconds

Stilgherrian attended the RSA Conference as a guest of Microsoft.