[SCADASEC] Anonymity on SCADASEC-L

[Bob Radvanovsky]

Folks --

Based on current discussions presently ensuing within the list, I would like to provide some comments and then put this item to rest so we can move on.

First, it is difficult (if not impossible) to manage a list in such a way (and performed part-time) that will prevent anyone from posting anonymously.  This list was created to provide a forum for information exchange and ideas to propagate regarding SCADA and control systems security.   There are countless pros and cons regarding the usage of aliases, many have been listed thus far.  We are interested in ideas and not so much of who has them, and will accept using aliases as part of the culture.

What we *do* need, is to continue watching for those that decide that their presence (as a subscriber) gives them the right to table their issues that may not be list related, either of an illegal nature, or to slander individuals on this list.  Although we do not have any sort of policy for watching the posts other than near real-time, we do have some rules about what is important.  Right now, taking up list cycles in trying to get people to use real names (as well as creating a hypersensitive thread) does not align with the list’s goals.  Suffice to say, neither is posting content about your corporate events, your upcoming books, or anything that benefits a subscriber personally if it does not benefit the community or is directly related to any list topic.  While we are trying to keep the personal issues off the list, and encourage quality banter, we would also like to suggest that if people really want to go at each other they take it ‘offline’.  Some have done just that and we applaud you, many of those who have posted thus far, really don't get too caught up in the mud slinging.

So, we are trying our best to take this list into a good place.  As we are about to turn one month old, we have seen some battles, some great things, and some not-so-great things posted on list, but are happy they have all happened because that is what happens on lists such as this.  Going forward, the moderators will try to shape the discussions to keep them on track without personal bias or having tempers flare up and mud get thrown.  This is the nature of the beast, and by the end of the day, we hope the list will provide more value to the community than simply grief and anguish.

To date, the benefits have been good and have outweighed many of the negatives; however, everyone is reminded that this list is still very young and will have growing pains.

This topic of anonymity is now done.  Let’s move on.