And so it begins...

Based on a conversation I had a couple of weeks ago with one of the acquisition editors at Cisco Press I have decided to pursue a dream and write an introduction to Firewalls book. The funny thing is that about two years ago I contacted Cisco Press (different people then) and asked if they would be interested in a book that introduced readers to Firewall technology. At the time they weren't interested. At all. But they were really nice and did call on me for opinions on other proposals and technologies from time to time. That progressed to reading other peoples manuscripts and later proposals. Last year they asked if I wanted to lead the development of a book about troubleshooting some specific Firewalls. Unfortunately that effort has been bogged down by the development of products.

I'm excited about this new project. I've been very interested in Firewall technology for years. I've worked at the edges of Firewall product development within Cisco Systems for years. I've been explaining Firewalls to Cisco customers and helping them with their issues for years.

I think there are a few challenges to writing an introduction to Firewalls book. I want the reader to be someone who is learning about Firewalls and security. I have to step back and make sure I keep the writing on target to that audience and stay away from "geek speak." How can I make the book relevant to lots of people. I want to write something that talks about a Linux Firewall and the Cisco PIX. I'd like to show readers what both do and let them decide which is best. I think it is important to talk about applications to be Firewalled. When I think about applications I think Network News (NNTP) is yesterday and that VoIP is today. I think that most of the books out there are really dated in that regard.

I think a problem that I may run into is that I tend to favor very closed security policies. It goes back to what I learned in the "old days" from the likes of Marcus Ranum and Joel Synder ("only talk to your friends"). To do this right I need to educate the reader and not preach.

It's not going to be easy. But I think it is going to be fun.