Computer security pioneer Peter Neumann dies at SRI

Peter Neumann, the longtime SRI International researcher whose work shaped the field of computer security and trustworthy systems, has died. According to a message forwarded by Tom Van Vleck on the Multicians mailing list, Neumann passed away in his sleep at a Santa Clara hospital from complications following a recent fall and surgery. His daughter was with him at the time.

Neumann spent decades at SRI’s Computer Science Laboratory and was widely known for moderating the ACM Risks Forum, a long-running clearinghouse for discussion of computer-related risks to the public. He was also an accomplished musician, playing piano and French horn among other instruments. SRI is expected to host a memorial service in Menlo Park in the coming weeks.