My Vote for Inventor of the Firewall

I mentioned in a recent Daily Incite about how Network World took some editorial liberties in naming Shlomo Kramer, one of the founders of Check Point as the "inventor of the firewall." In a subsequent TDI, I mentioned how Dave Piscitello called them out on that, mentioning a number of folks that had done research and published papers that seemed awfully "firewall-like."

But now evidently one enterprising chap has voted for Marcus Ranum and Fred Avolio as the inventors during their days at DEC. I concur since this is my recollection as well.

I'm sure you are wondering how I would remember something like that from over 12 years ago, when I can hardly remember what I had for breakfast this morning. I tend to remember pricing and I distinctly remember being appalled when one of my clients at META Group called up asking what I thought of the DEC SEAL security device and whether it was worth $50,000.

$50,000 for a what? Of course, this was when the Internet was being referred to as the "Information Superhighway." Well before Internet access was ubiquitous. That was the first time I had heard of a "firewall." I had to get smart pretty fast on what it was and what it did.

So, I'll also cast my vote for Ranum and Avolio.

That being said, if the contest was to decide the inventor of the stateful inspection firewall, then it is indeed Shlomo, Gil Shwed and Marius Nacht of Check Point. These guys would also win the award for creating personal net worth from the network security market.