Making security operational is the greatest challenge we face in applied computer engineering.
All engineered systems have guiding requirements—measurable elements such that, to the de-
gree they are not delivered, the system may fail. Above all, buildings must be safe. (They can’t fall
over!) But that is not enough. They must be usable (they have to be architected such that the space in-
side is capable of being used), they must be able to be manufactured and maintained (the cost of con-
struction and upkeep must allow the job to be profitable), and really, they should be attractive (the
appearance of a building relates to the status of its inhabitants, and thus the value of the property).
Each requirement has its own prioritization, but they all have seats at the table.
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