People protect networks. The security specialist who writes packet-filtering rules for a router is just as important as the programmer who refrains from attaching an unauthorized modem to her workstation. It's refreshing to see the authors offer advice not only on technical issues, but also on the social aspects of security. The authors are thorough, including information at times that may be obvious to seasoned developers and administrators. This is both a benefit and a drawback.
Security is an exacting business, full of minutia.
At 869 pages, however, not too many people will read the entire text. A more fundamental shortcoming is that this information is not best presented in book format. Building Internet Firewalls should be rewritten in hypertext. Basic information could be presented in just enough detail for managers, while the technically inclined could drill down to information such as port use and filtering rules. While Deborah Russell has done an admirable job of editing this book, one hopes the third edition will include a CD with all text in a hierarchical format.