An Early History of the Crypto Wars

Stanford University’s Alumni Association Magazine recently published a very interesting article on the early history, politics, and publication of academic (non-classified) encryption research. The article, Keeping Secrets, focuses on Martin Hellman, who is known for his work on public key cryptography.

Work that in retrospect, even Bobby Ray Inman (NSA Director, 1997-1981) thinks he should have been less concerned about.

“Rather than being careful to make sure they were[n’t] going to damage [our collection capabilities]… I would have been interested in how quickly they were going to be able to make [cryptosystems] available in a form that would protect proprietary information as well as government information.”

Proprietary information such as Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jet.

(Hat tip to Thomas Rid.)

On 11/02/15 At 02:17 PM

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