RSA Security's Official Guide to Cryptography

The Barnes & Noble Review\nThere are several things we especially like about RSA Security's Official Guide to Cryptography .
First and foremost, we appreciate its clarity and accessibility. Steve Burnett and Steve Paine don't bury you in algorithms; rather, they offer straightforward, to-the-point explanations of what each security technology does, and how they fit together.
Over the years, these authors have explained key distribution and public key infrastructure often, and they've learned how to explain them exceptionally well. We also like the book's detailed introductions to today's security protocols, at the network layer (IPSec), transport layer (SSL), and application layer (S/MIME and SET).
We like the book's thorough chapter on avoiding the limitations of software by utilizing hardware-based approaches -- including specific, hard-to-find information on products and vendors.
And we especially like the two full chapters of security case studies, written from the perspective of corporations, developers, and end-users. One focuses on success stories, the other on "companies doing it wrong." Between the two, you'll find all the role models (and cautionary tales) you need to get cryptography right, the first time.
(Bill Camarda) Bill Camarda is a consultant and writer with nearly 20 years' experience in helping technology companies deploy and market advanced software, computing, and networking products and services. His 15 books include Special Edition Using Word 2000 and Upgrading & Fixing Networks For Dummies, Second Edition.