Trustworthy Computing a New Priority

Microsoft promotes “Trustworthy Computing,” a concept which it introduced at the beginning of 2002, as computing that is as reliable, available, private, and easy to use as the telephone. Trustworthy Computing is similar to Microsoft’s previously promoted concept of “Information at Your Fingertips” in that it describes a long-term goal for its products and services, rather than a specific set of technologies or practices. But unlike previous concepts promoted by Microsoft, Trustworthy Computing may actually delay the next round of product releases, will require new hardware and software, and will involve partners, customers, and the entire industry.

Computing as Dial Tone

Microsoft Chief Technical Officer Craig Mundie began discussing Trustworthy Computing at conferences in Jan. 2002, and Bill Gates referenced the concept in a memo to all employees emphasizing security and quality above “cool features.” (See “Gates Puts Focus on Trustworthy Computing” on page 10 of the Feb. 2002 Update.) Now, it’s become a theme: Microsoft speakers at the TechEd and WinHEC conferences in Apr. 2002 all had at least one Trustworthy Computing slide in their presentations.