Security is a tough subject to pin down. It criss-crosses the worlds of physical reality, perception and misperception. It is evident in the smallest and largest of territories, from the number of CCTV cameras that film our everyday journeys, to the national and international policies on terrorism and military deployment.

It touches us deeply because it feeds off, and can fuel, our fears. It has become embedded into our lives to the point that even mainstream pop-music is discussing it. Offers of security draw us with promises of safety, comfort and protection. The question though, is at what cost to freedom and opportunity, not just for us, but for society at large?

In this issue of Radar Microsoft’s UK Chief Security Advisor talks with John Elkington on computer and internet fraud and our faculty member Alan AtKisson discusses sustainability as a pre-condition for security.