I was excited recently when I learned a group of trustworthy, security-minded people had committed to a meme to promote the ideas and culture of secure coding. We hear talk daily among practitioners and victims alike, musing about secure applications, secure programming and building security into code from the foundation.

Here, my friends is an opportunity to BUY IN to the program and WALK the WALK instead of just talking the talk. Ladies and gentleman, I introduce to you The Rugged Software Manifesto.  

What’s in a meme?
A rose called by any other meme.. No, seriously. A meme is a postulated unit of cultural ideas, symbols or practices, which can be transmitted from one mind to another through speech, gestures, rituals or other imitable phenomena. (The etymology of the term relates to the Greek word ?????????? (pronounced /m?met?smos/) for “something imitated”.) … so says Wikipedia

The Rugged Software Manifesto

  • I am rugged… and more importantly, my code is rugged.
  • I recognize that software has become a foundation of our modern world.
  • I recognize the awesome responsibility that comes with this foundational role.
  • I recognize that my code will be used in ways I cannot anticipate, in ways it was not designed, and for longer than it was ever intended.
  • I recognize that my code will be attacked by talented and persistent adversaries who threaten our physical, economic, and national security.
  • I recognize these things – and I choose to be rugged.
  • I am rugged because I refuse to be a source of vulnerability or weakness.
  • I am rugged because I assure my code will support its mission.
  • I am rugged because my code can face these challenges and persist in spite of them.
  • I am rugged, not because it is easy, but because it is necessary… and I am up for the challenge.

Join

If you want Rugged Software, join us and help define the principles, and technologies that will help others become Rugged too. Our first project is to define how people and organizations can know if they are Rugged.

Learn more and join at http://www.ruggedsoftware.org/.
Follow on twitter http://twitter.com/ruggedsoftware.
OWASP Rugged page at http://www.owasp.org/index.php/Rugged.

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jj

Author, speaker, and recognized authority on network and wireless security architectures, Jennifer (JJ) Minella helps organizations solve technical problems and align teams.

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