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Official Bruce Schneier action figure steps onto market

Coiffure options: 'Ponytail', 'Bald' or 'Cyborg'

Good news for devotees of ponytailed crypto guru of all our hearts Bruce Schneier: it's now possible to buy an officially endorsed "Bruce Schneier action figure".

The action figure, which can be purchased here, comes with a range of costumes ("casual Bruce", "smart Bruce" and "head only"), and also features "scalp" options ("bald", "ponytail" or "cyborg").

Online gumble portal ThatsMyFace.com's automated manufacturers will lovingly craft your Schneier "aka CryptoMan" figurine and despatch it to your door in time for the festive season.

For those few Reg readers who haven't heard of Mr Schneier - our own John Leyden has described him as "the closest the security industry has to a rock star" - he is a famous crypto and computer security expert who also comments occasionally on wider security matters. His company Counterpane was bought by BT in 2006, with Schneier remaining on the strength as inhouse security adviser to the telecoms giant.

The bearded, ponytailed security veteran is aware of the action figure and has authorised it, commenting on his blog:

I'd like to be able to say something like "half the proceeds are going to EPIC and EFF," but they're not. That's the price for custom orders. I don't even get a royalty. The company is working on lowering the price... I've told them that at $100 no one will buy it, but at $40 it's a funny gift for your corporate IT person. So e-mail the company if you're interested, and if they get enough interest they'll do a bulk order.

As of press time, the price has dropped to $89, though be warned - there's a hefty surcharge for the "cyborg" option. However you get $29 off if you require only Bruce's head and not the rest of him. ®

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