The L4.verified project has a beautifully written introduction. They eloquently argue (a good sign for their code) that it is possible to eliminate risk from specific areas of development.

Imagine your company is commissioning a new vending software. Imagine you write down in a contract precisely what the software is supposed to do. And then — it does. Always. And the developers can prove it to you — with an actual mathematical machine-checked proof.

Sounds to me like they’re making the case for compliance. It’s not just a check-list, it’s proof of something.

I have presented this in terms of cloud at conferences for the past few years and tried to make it clear but I have to give kudos to the L4.verified author: Their explanation is tight.

Here’s my spin on things:

• When someone says to themselves they are secure, they are done.
• When someone says they are secure to someone else, they then have to prove their statement and show the intervals of confidence (e.g. tests and error rate or deviation).

This is the difference between security and compliance. The latter requires proof with peer review. L4.verified says they can prove security through an automation system — compliance by design.

…the issue of software security and reliability is bigger than just the software itself and involves more than developers making implementation mistakes. In the contract, you might have said something you didn’t mean (if you are in a relationship, you might have come across that problem). Or you might have meant something you didn’t say and the proof is therefore based on assumptions that don’t apply to your situation. Or you haven’t thought of everything you need (ever went shopping?). In these cases, there will still be problems, but at least you know where the problem is not: with the developers. Eliminating the whole issue of implementation mistakes would be a huge step towards more reliable and more secure systems.

Sounds like science fiction?

The L4.verified project demonstrates that such contracts and proofs can be done for real-world software.

It looks something like this:

The goal of L4.verified apparently is to build a system of proof that a machine can handle on its own.

If this reminds you of “The number 42” or “I’m sorry Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that“, then you obviously have been reading too much science fiction.

The machines will have to be able to handle these three tasks to be successful:

1. Pose a correct audit question
2. Answer within a reasonable time
3. Prove that the answer is reliable

This translates directly into the future of audits, especially in cloud. Simplification and atomisation coupled with verification is a great model for security, but even better for compliance.

I will discuss this in more detail tonight at Cloud Camp, Silicon Valley at the IBM Innovation Center.

Louder Than a Bomb is a new documentary film about young spoken-word competitors — an intimate look at how they spin lessons from life into poetry.

Rather than emphasize individual poets and performances, the structure of Louder Than a Bomb demands that kids work collaboratively with their peers, presenting, critiquing, and rewriting their pieces. To succeed, teams have to create an environment of mutual trust and support. For many kids, being a part of such an environment—in an academic context—is life-changing.

The film centres around a team format. Yet, as with athletic teams, there are individual highlights like this 2008 performance by Nate Marshall.

by Chali 2na.

Catch him performing live for free with the Jazz Mafia Symphony at Stern Grove in San Francisco, June 26th.

Step yo game up
Step yo game up

Well it’s the late great fish again
From the great state underneath Lake Michigan
Keep us safe just in case cake’s missing
And I speak frigid anytime I think jake’s listenin’

Heh, OK first and foremost
Make my purse burst as I put thirst before jokes
Won’t feel the rumours I try to ignore folks
Immature blokes whose whole cloaks are pure hoax

Shifty eyes, the fish be wise
Risky lies can lead you to a quick demise
Get your arms wrapped up like some twisty ties
Haters are sick from witnessin’ how quick we rise

Yup, my momma told me to resolve my picture credit
Or everything around me will dissolve and dissipate
Yeah, never earning is a fast disaster
And foolish is the student who don’t surpass the master

The reason that you have to step yo game up
Put in work, make them notice your rep then came up
More than feeble attempts to gain bucks
If you’re shootin’ for your dreams too low then aim up

Step yo game up
Heavy push, make them know that your rep done came up
Try to build up your name, remain tough
Grind till your brain busts and step yo game up

Keep it funky long as I can like imagine
Making each record that I do better than the last one
Inside the passion I try to make it happen
So I don’t have to wear a ski mask and blast guns

The first son will leave your area hurt
When I’m in America they raise the terror alert
Scary when I leave you bury your dirt
Cadence of clarity is making sure your stereo work, very alert

Like that y’all, got you switching your choice
Should we hit you with a hook, you change the pitch in your voice
Intricate with every step, we make you slippery with moist
And my constituents will get to the point rippin’ the joint

But uh, over the bass and the treble clef
Hot like we hit you in the face with the devil’s breath
But just in case that the level slips
Never fret, just pick up the pace like we never left

That’s why you gotta just step yo game up
Put in work, make them notice your rep that came up
More than feeble attempts to gain bucks
If you’re shootin’ for your dreams too low then aim up

Step yo game up
Heavy push, make them know that your rep done came up
Try to build up your name, remain tough
Grind till your brain busts and step yo game up

Yo, clash on the mind ’cause a black Columbine
Contract nullifying print stack dollar signs
Gotta push cause a lotta cats out of time
Holla back on the dime on the black gotta crime

The day that this rap became a weapon
Is the day that I was told to adapt to gain acceptance
The poorest people make scratch by any method
If he desperate he can go pull out the strap to send a message

That’s why you gotta just step yo game up
Put in work, make them notice your rep that came up
More than feeble attempts to gain bucks
If you’re shootin’ for your dreams too low then aim up

Step yo game up
Heavy push, make them know that your rep done came up
Try to build up your name, remain tough
Grind till your brain busts and step yo game up