File under "Why bother?"

I love the Internet.  One of the major reasons I like working in infosec is because it gives me a front row seat to experience all the ways its being used, fused, abused and....whatever else.

Even after years of working with security start-ups that hep enable its accelerated development, I never lose my sense of awe over how fast and significantly the 'net has impacted the way people communicate.  On every level, in every way.  And it's still in it's infancy. 

Cool, right?

But every once in a while, I run into a real head-scratcher of a use case.  For example:

This is the front door of the apartment building of my friend's sister, who lives in a great neighborhood linking Gramercy Park to Union Square, home of Pete's Tavern (O. Henry's regular hang out), Irving Plaza (formerly the Peppermint Lounge, a landmark music club) and many other great pubs and restaurants.  It's safe to say the residents are financially stable (enough to afford the rents or savvy enough to maintain rent control), and living in a culturally rich area. 

So,  the cyberdoorman is actually a small team of people physically located in the Bronx who have never even seen the building.  When a visitor buzzes the call is routed right to the cyberdoorman for screening.  Apparently, they  add no value whatsoever.   It's not like you can leave a package with them...

On top of that, it appears to be a simple phone line, meaning there is nothing "cyber" about it, if you use the dictionary.com definition --  "a combining form meaning “computer,” “computer network,” or “virtual reality,” used in the formation of compound words (cybertalk; cyberart; cyberspace) and by extension meaning “very modern” (cyberfashion)."

While the sign is good for a laugh, the cyberdoorman is not exactly one of the 'net's crowing achievements. Makes for a good picture though....

Comments

[Cyberdoorman Enthusiast]

Interesting take, would love to explain to you how the system works.