Although complex computer software and Internet applications can be reduced to simple combinations of ones and zeros, human values of trust and security still apply to the digital world of information use and misuse.

Last week, UCSB computer science Professor Dr. Richard Kemmerer met with 18 other research scientists and computer security experts in the first gathering of Microsoft Corp.’s Trustworthy Computing Academic Advisory Board (TCAAB).

The group of academic experts will advise Microsoft on security, privacy and reliability in Microsoft products and systems and give the company suggestions on how to make its software and networks harder to hack into and more reliable.

“The board was called together to address the need for more secure operating systems,” Kemmerer said. “I joined this board so I can contribute advice and give [Microsoft] the benefit of my experience in this area.”

Kemmerer is an expert in computer and network security and intrusion prevention. He received his Ph.D. in computer science from UCLA and has spent the past 24 years working in this field since he began teaching at UCSB in 1974.

“I was doing this before it was popular,” Kemmerer said.

Kemmerer has, throughout his career, developed security systems that are currently used by military research facilities, businesses and the Computer Science Dept. He was one of the first three security research scientists and privacy policy experts from around the globe who Microsoft chose to sit on the TCAAB.

“Achieving trustworthy computing will take many years and require thoughtful and sustained collaboration between the industry and academic communities,” Microsoft Chief Security Strategist Scott Charney said in a statement. “By formalizing the process of engaging with these distinguished experts, we are better able to benefit from their collective wisdom.”