Don't Rely On Microsoft, Trade Group Urges Homeland Security

In a letter written Wednesday by Ed Black, the president and CEO of CCIA and addressed to Secretary Tom Ridge, head of Homeland Security, the trade group -- which represents companies in the hardware manufacturing, software developing, system integrating, and other fields -- accused Microsoft of being more interested in profits than in security.

The most recent vulnerabilities in Microsoft software -- exploited by the MSBlaster worm and the Sobig.F virus in the past two weeks -- are just the tip of the iceberg, the CCIA said. And Microsoft is at least partly to blame.

"Though certainly the creator of these malicious attacks must bear the brunt of blame, Microsoft is also largely responsible for continuing to create software riddled with obvious and easily exploited vulnerabilities," said Black in his letter.

Although the Department recently chose Microsoft as its preferred supplier of desktop and server software, Black recommended that it reconsider its reliance on Microsoft's wares.

"Because of these recent developments, historical experience, and the inherent risks associated with lack of diversity, we ask that you reconsider your heavy reliance on a single, flawed software platform to protect our national security," said Black.

This story courtesy of TechWeb.