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Re: The Value of Money (fwd) (fwd)
by lassie!jim%lassie＠netcom.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

It's people like this that make me seriously rethink my anti-gun regulation stance. -uni- (Dark) why what ever do you mean? i think all american's should not have guns or crypto. it would make for a safer society in that the government could make sure there would be no more crime or pesky drug dealers using cyfered messages to transmit their buy and sell orders on international email. right-on ban crypto. of course the way this group is going nobody outside of the internet clique will ever get there hands on pgp or other crypto software. i tried to find pgp on local bbs's in phoenix and had to call 8 of them before i found 1 downloadable zip. the average users do not even know it is available. thru ignorance of the bulk of the populace you will fail in your crypto efforts. that is a shame too. you, and your group may know all there is about crypto and may write the best crypto programs ever written. butttttttttt......... without everyday clueless non-internet/ftp/pgp familiar users, crypto is pointless. the power is in distribution. and distribution breeds familiarity and contempt for the governments brand of escrowed key system. given the choice of one item in a resturant you only eat what is served to you. with multiple items you choose the best. face it, if crypto is outlawed it is too easy to clean out the net so to speak. if nothing is agressivly distributed then the people will not have it. if the people do not have it why waste your time writing it. if it is made illegal you will be an outlaw. if you have distributed in major cities before hand then at least the public has and will have access. -- * Spelling errors are intentional and international * Jim Nalbandian netcomsv!lassie!jim%lassie(a)netcom.com Tempe, Arizona, USA N7SZS(a)K7BUC.AZ.US.NA No free man shall ever be de-barred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain there right to keep and bear arms is as a last resort to protect themselves against tyranny in government. <-------- Thomas Jefferson --

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Regarding Mr. Nalbandian's Comments
by grendel＠netaxs.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Regarding some specific criticisms by Mr. Nalbandian: [1] If Joe ComputerUser does not know how to use his computer for more than word processing and playing games, at this point, he probably doesn't NEED PGP. If he knows enough to realize what little privacy he actually has, he will go looking for security. With luck, he will run into someone who can steer him towards PGP... [2] The purpose of this list is not to insure that everyone has a copy and knows how to use PGP (though most of us would consider that a worthwhile goal). As it has been said more and more often, 'Cypherpunks write CODE!'. This is a discussion group about the practicality and implementation of specific forms of cryptography and cryptographic applications (digital money, key servers, etc). [ This is not to belittle the political content of the group, though. ] Groups like the EFF are interested in helping new users to the Internet learn all about it, and are doing a good job of it so far. If you are that concerned about the masses not knowing about cryptography, try sending a note to the EFF (with the caps lock OFF!) and ask them to include a section on privacy, cryptography and PGP in the next version of the Big Dummy's Guide To The Internet. It's a start. [3] Sending badly composed rants to seven hundred people and then publically posting a response to a private message is not the way to be taken seriously. -- ========================================================================== | Michael Brandt Handler | Philadelphia, PA | <grendel(a)netaxs.com> | | PGP 2.3a public key available via server or mail | ========================================================================== People who use Elm: if you know how to create a killfile for Elm, please send me an email message telling how. Thanks.

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Regarding Mr. Nalbandian's Comments (fwd)
by lassie!jim%lassie＠netcom.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

[1] If Joe ComputerUser does not know how to use his computer for more than word processing and playing games, at this point, he probably doesn't NEED PGP. If he knows enough to realize what little privacy he actually has, he will go looking for security. With luck, he will run into someone who can steer him towards PGP... Wow, word processer, so i guess that if you are just using a word processer that you don't need PGP? As usual you distance yourself from computer users by placing youself on a pedistal above them. Why is that? Do you feel superior to them? Is it something that was lacking in your childhood? I bet you could code 500 lines a day when you were in grade school. I bet you never have just used a word processer or played games on a computer? Have you? With luck somebody will give me the winning numbers to the lottery next week, too. And with wings pigs can fly. [2] The purpose of this list is not to insure that everyone has a copy and knows how to use PGP (though most of us would consider that a worthwhile goal). As it has been said more and more often, 'Cypherpunks write CODE!'. This is a discussion group about the practicality and implementation of specific forms of cryptography and cryptographic applications (digital money, key servers, etc). [ This is not to belittle the political content of the group, though. ] Groups like the EFF are interested in helping new users to the Internet learn all about it, and are doing a good job of it so far. If you are that concerned about the masses not knowing about cryptography, try sending a note to the EFF (with the caps lock OFF!) and ask them to include a section on privacy, cryptography and PGP in the next version of the Big Dummy's Guide To The Internet. It's a start. Why should I waste my time? You waste your time by writing crypto that WILL be outlawed and take no action to distribute. And as usual people on here can't see farther than Internet. They really can'nt. Must be a pedistal thing. Why write crypto or even purport it's use if you are to deprive the real people that could aid your cause the use use of "PGP" or other sutible non-CLIPPER cryptography. More people are off Internet than on.? [3] Sending badly composed rants to seven hundred people and then publically posting a response to a private message is not the way to be taken seriously. I thought there was only a couple hundred on this list? cool 700! I have no idea what you mean by public post of private message? -- * Spelling errors are intentional and international * Jim Nalbandian netcomsv!lassie!jim%lassie(a)netcom.com Tempe, Arizona, USA N7SZS(a)K7BUC.AZ.US.NA No free man shall ever be de-barred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain there right to keep and bear arms is as a last resort to protect themselves against tyranny in government. <-------- Thomas Jefferson --

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Ignore This Message
by mpd1＠ix.netcom.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Test Message.

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Clipper Key Escrow Details
by grendel＠netaxs.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Regarding the Clipper Key Escrow scheme: [1] Who has the ability to submit a warrant and request the key data from the two controlling government agencies? Do you have to be a Federal organization? Local? State? Could the Lower Merion Police Department (from Lower Merion, PA, technically where I live) attempt to obtain my escrowed key parts if they had a valid reason (and the knowledge / equipment to use it)? [2] What is to stop someone, once they have my escrowed key data, from archiving it for later use? Do the federal agencies in charge have any protocols or controls or protections against this? Thanks. -- ========================================================================== | Michael Brandt Handler | Philadelphia, PA | <grendel(a)netaxs.com> | | PGP 2.3a public key available via server / mail / finger | ==========================================================================

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Re: some animals are more equal than others
by lefty＠apple.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

>*EXCUSE ME!* Since when have the cops and judges cared about legality >of searches? For about thirty years now. You might recall kind of a major uproar when Ed Meese proposed throwing out the probable cause restrictions on searches several years back. >Am I confused? Well, frankly, it looks that way to me. >Oh, I forgot. He meant the searches for *US*. Not *THEM*. Get a grip. This isn't the first search that was thrown out for lack of probable cause. Call your local ACLU chapter. They can tell you all about it. Or do you feel that she should have been treated especially harshly for being the daughter of a Congressman? -- Lefty (lefty(a)apple.com) C:.M:.C:., D:.O:.D:.

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No Subject
by Anonymous 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Can someone be so kind as to shed some light on PGP v2.5? I've heard a couple of comments that it is available? If so, is this a public domain release, where is it available via anon ftp and what enhancements (if any) does it offer over the v2.3 release? Thanx.

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Re: Keyserver service outage (fwd)
by werner＠mc.ab.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

>Date: Fri, 06 May 1994 07:43:03 -0400 >From: "Perry E. Metzger" <perry(a)snark.imsi.com> > >Mr. Nalbandian was only recently released from the hospital, and is >still having some small difficulty adjusting to normal society. I >suggest we help him along by restricting our expressions of >displeasure at his inappropriate public remarks in private email. As much as I hate to bring this up, are you certain that Nalbandian is not a Detweiler tentacle?

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(fwd) May 4 House Hearing on Clipper, F. Lynn McNulty testimony
by paul＠hawksbill.sprintmrn.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Forwarded message: > > Newsgroups: talk.politics.crypto > From: koontzd(a)io.lrcs.loral.com (David Koontz ) > Subject: May 4 House Hearing on Clipper, F. Lynn McNulty testimony > Message-ID: <1994May5.010923.17264(a)wdl.loral.com> > Originator: koontzd@io > Sender: news(a)wdl.loral.com > Organization: Loral Rolm Computer Systems > Date: Thu, 5 May 1994 01:09:23 GMT > Lines: 914 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Security on the Internet > > > > Statement of > F. Lynn McNulty > Associate Director for Computer Security > National Institute of Standards and Technology > U.S. Department of Commerce > > Before the > Subcommittee on Science > Committee on Science, Space, and Technology > U.S. House of Representatives > > March 22, 1994 > > I. INTRODUCTION > > Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee: > > Thank you for inviting the National Institute of Standards and > Technology (NIST) to speak about security of the Internet and the > role NIST plays in its security. We share your belief in the > importance of security on the Internet. We also believe that > recent events affecting the security of Internet users reinforce > the need for attention and action. I want to address the > specific concerns and issues you have identified and discuss the > role that NIST plays in the security of both the Internet and the > evolving national information infrastructure. > > A. NIST's Computer Security Mission > > First, let me briefly review NIST's role in the computer security > area. Under the Brooks Act (P.L. 89-306), NIST is tasked with > developing Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) for > unclassified federal computer systems. Our security activities > in this area were re-enforced by Congress in 1987 when it passed > the Computer Security Act of 1987 (P.L. 100-235). The Act > stipulates that NIST shall "have responsibility within the > Federal Government for developing technical, management, > physical, and administrative standards and guidelines for the > cost-effective security and privacy of sensitive information in > Federal computer systems" (excepting classified systems and those > used to process "Warner Amendment" information covered by 10 > U.S.C. 2315). This role was essentially reiterated in P.L. 102- > 194, the High-performance Computing Act of 1991. > > In essence, then, NIST has the responsibility -- through > standards, guidance, and technology transfer -- for helping > agencies protect their information technology and applications. > It is important to recognize that it remains the responsibility > of agencies, service providers, and users of information > technology to develop, implement, and manage security programs > based on their specific risks and needs. > > > II. THE RECENT INTERNET SECURITY INCIDENT > > Let me now turn briefly to the recent incident that was perhaps > the primary impetus for these hearings. The testimony of the > representative from the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) > describes the technical details of the incident. I will try to > put the incident in a context and perspective. Later, I will > address more general Internet and NII security concerns. > > A. The Incident > > The recent incident involved the discovery of "password sniffer" > programs on hundreds of systems throughout the Internet. This > "incident" was really a series of incidents on host systems > around the Internet involving the exploitation of a combination > of vulnerabilities present in the Internet. First, I should note > that over the last few years there have been many security alerts > and incidents involving systems on the Internet. This incident > was different from "routine" or ongoing incidents primarily in > that it developed rapidly into a widespread pattern of similar > attacks and that it resulted in threats to many other systems. > > B. Major Vulnerabilities Exploited > > There were two major types of vulnerability that were exploited > in this incident -- neither, by the way, being actual > vulnerabilities of the Internet itself, but rather problems in > systems connected to the Internet. > > Obtaining Privileged Access - The first step in the password > sniffer attack requires the attacker to obtain privileged status > on a target host system. This can be done by exploiting any of a > wide range of known attacks. This normally can happen only when > that host system has not been properly configured and > administered to prevent unauthorized access. As such, this is > not an Internet vulnerability. Rather, it is a general problem > that all computer system administrators face and must address. > > Access to Passwords - The next steps in the attack involve the > installation of the "sniffer" program to monitor the system's > network interface port and the collection of log-in information, > including passwords. The problem was not the ability of a > properly authorized user to monitor the network port; this is > needed for effective system administration. The vulnerability > here was due to the fact that most computer systems on the > Internet (and other networks) employ re-usable passwords to > authenticate users. There was no exposure for host systems or > user accounts which employed non-reusable passwords or other > advanced methods (such as tokens or "smart cards") for user > authentication. This, again, is not an Internet vulnerability; > Internet protocols do not require host systems to use passwords > for user authentication. It should also be noted that encryption > of network layer information would not have solved this specific > problem, because the monitoring occurs at a point in the > compromised systems where messages are unencrypted anyway. > > In summary, while there were known vulnerabilities exploited in > this incident, they were vulnerabilities in the security > mechanisms of host systems, not the Internet itself. > Nevertheless, there was a serious and widespread impact of the > incident affecting many other systems on the Internet. > > C. Impact > > The serious impact of the recent incident should be recognized; > log-in information (i.e., account numbers and passwords) for > potentially thousands of host system user accounts appear to have > been compromised. It is clear that this incident had a negative > impact on the operational missions of some Government agencies. > Moreover, this should be viewed as ongoing incident, not an > incident that has happend and been dealt with. Indeed, > administrators of systems throughout the Internet were advised, > in turn, to direct their users to change their passwords. This > is, indeed, very significant, and we may be seeing its effects > for some time to come. Not only is it difficult, if not > impossible, to identify and notify every user whose log-in > information might have been compromised, it is unlikely that > everyone, even if notified, will change his or her passwords. > Therefore, we will probably continue to see unauthorized access > to user accounts resulting from the password "sniffing" activity > of this incident. Clearly, we need ways to minimize this kind of > problem in the future. > > D. Alerting and Response to the Incident > > A Success Story - Despite the serious impact of this incident, it > should be viewed as a clear and major success for organized > incident response activities. The existence and cooperation of > several operational security incident response teams was > instrumental in identifying this as more than a "routine" > incident and ensuring rapid response to it. A formal coalition > of response teams, known as FIRST (the Forum of Incident Response > and Security Teams) played an important role in the process. All > of the teams central to the incident are members of FIRST. The > Department of Energy's Computer Incident Advisory Capability > (CIAC) at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory first identified the > incident. CERT led efforts to analyize and assess the emerging > threat and issued initial alert messages to the other security > incident response teams that are members of FIRST (including > NIST). Individual teams then spread the word among their > constituencies. Also of particular note was the DoD Automated > System Security Incident Support Team (ASSIST), which has > coordinated world-wide response efforts for all of DoD. When it > was clear that the incident was particularly wide-spread, notices > were posted on several Internet "bulletin boards" and other > forums. A press release was also issued. (It is important to > note, however, that, because of the specific and inherently > technical nature of most such incidents, press releases are not > normally part of the alert process.) > > E. Lessons Learned > > This incident was the result of known vulnerabilities and > already-hypothesized attack scenarios. Rather than teach us new > lessons, it really re-emphasizes some lessons we've already > learned and simply increases a sense of urgency for advanced > authentication methods and other actions. Additional lessons > learned were: > > Effective incident response teams and alerting mechanisms > can (and, in this case, did) play an important role in > minimizing the impact of such incidents. > > Traditional user authentication by means of re-usable > passwords does not provide strong security in today's > networked environment -- with or without encryption. > > Exploitation techniques (and software which automates such > techniques) are rapidly shared across the network and can be > easily used by otherwise unskilled miscreants. In other > words, you don't have to be smart (or ambitious) enough to > build these "weapons" to be able to obtain them and use them > against others. > > Any host system, if improperly configured or managed, can > become an "unwitting" platform for an attack against other > systems in a network. Therefore, we need to mimimize the > need for reliance on the integrity of individual hosts for > the security of other hosts and users on the Internet. > > System administrators (which, because of the growing > number of workstations on the net, include an increasing > number of relatively unskilled users) need better awareness, > skills, and competence in protecting their systems; > > The importance of security to users of the Internet (and > by extension the evolving national information > infrastructure) can no longer be seen as secondary. If this > valuable national resource is to achieve its full potential, > its users must have confidence in the security of their data > and activities on the network. > > III. IMPROVING SECURITY ON THE INTERNET > > Clearly, much can be done to improve security in the Internet. > The initial, research-oriented Internet and its protocols were > designed for a more "benign" environment than now exists. It > could, perhaps, be described as a collegial environment in which > the users and host computer systems are mutually trusting and > interested in unrestrained sharing of information. The new > environment in which the Internet (and the NII) must operate is > much less collegial and trustworthy. It contains all the > situations, people, and risks that we find in the society as a > whole. Thus, we have begun to reexamine and adjust our "design > requirments" to reflect those new realities. Security is now a > primary concern. The collegial Internet of the past cannot be > the basis for the NII of the future. > > A. A Short History of Internet Security Incidents > > Despite the previous comment, security in the Internet is not > something that has never occurred to its users and operators. It > is important to understand what has taken place and what is > currently underway. > > In recent years, a number of security problems with networks in > general and the Internet in particular have received public > attention. The media have carried stories of high-profile > malicious hacker attacks via the Internet against government, > business, and academic sites. It often seems that hackers roam > the Internet with virtual impunity, masking their tracks while > moving from system to system. > > The Recent Incident Wasn't the First - Perhaps the first and > still most significant major incident involving the Internet was > the so-called Internet Worm, caused by Robert Morris, Jr. in > November of 1988. This incident, in effect, woke up the Internet > community to at least three facts: > > Everyone out there isn't a "good guy"; > > Internet protocols and applications had many inherent or > implementation vulnerabilities that create exposures to > misuse or intrusion; and > > The network community needed better methods of cooperation > to identify and react to network incidents and emergencies. > > The first two of the above factors won't change; the last remains > true, but has been and continues to be addressed. > > And It Won't Be The Last - In the years subsequent to the > Internet Worm, there have been some significant trends: > > Use of the Internet has grown exponentially -- and > continues unabated. With this has come a corresponding > increase in the number of people with a detailed technical > understanding of Internet systems -- and the potential > vulnerabilities of those systems. > > "Security" incidents, such as attempted system access, > actual system intrusions, and other exploitations of various > weaknesses of systems on the Internet, also have grown > dramatically. It is likely that almost every host system on > the Internet already has had at least some sort of security- > related incident. > > The number of unskilled users who must (or should) be > assuming network system administrator functions will > continue to increase -- simply because the number of systems > connected to the Internet is increasing. > > There are now growing organized efforts of Internet user > organizations to identify and deal with intrusions and > unauthorized system use. > > > B. Internet Vulnerabilities vs. Host System Vulnerabilities > > It is important to recognize that the vast majority of security > problems seen "on the Internet" are not really Internet problems > at all. We need to understand a subtle but important distinction > between the Internet and its host systems. > > The Internet is, in essence, a collection of computers, usually > called host systems, which are connected to underlying data > communications networks. These host systems (which may support > one or more human users) communicate with each other by means of > internet protocols. The internet protocols may be thought of as > the standard message formats by which the host systems establish > connections to each other and exchange information -- much like > the use of standard forms and procedures in an office > environment. > > Security vulnerabilities can exist in the underlying > communications network and its nodes, in the internet protocols, > in network administration, or in host systems. To use the > highway analogy, a communications problem might be like a > pothole, a bridge failure, or a closed road. A protocol problem > might be like a mis-marked exit sign or a failure of slower > traffic to stay in the slow lane. A network administration > problem might be the lack of emergency vehicle access or > notification and response procedures for accidents. Last, a host > system problem might be likened to a store proprietor along the > highway leaving the doors open and the store unoccupied. The > problem is not the proximity of the highway, but the carelessness > of the store proprietor (and the fact that not everyone on the > highway is honest). Most "Internet" security problems to date > have been careless -- or unknowlegeable -- proprietors. > > > C. The Role of the Internet in the NII > > The national information infrastructure is not some system that > will be "switched on" at some specified date in the future. The > NII, at least in its initial form, is here now, and like many > other national infrastructures, is made up of many -- often > disjoint -- elements. The issues that we in government and > industry must address are the directions in which we want the NII > to evolve and how to make that happen. In the administration's > guiding document on the development of the NII, The National > Information Infrastructure: Agenda for Action, one of the nine > guiding objectives is to "Ensure Information Security and Network > Reliability". > > One of the important elements in the current NII is the Internet. > The Internet may not, however, be the ultimate model or > technology for the NII. Nevertheless, it serves important roles > in the evolution of the NII. First, it is a working example of > effective global computer networking. Second, it is a possible > model for future network technology. Last -- and perhaps most > importantly -- the Internet serves as a sort of living laboratory > in which we can develop and experiment with technologies, > applications, and concepts of information sharing that will be > useful or necessary in the next century. Again, security > mechanisms are central to the process. > > D. The National Performance Review > > The importance of information technology security in general and > Internet security in particular was recognized in the Vice > President's National Performance Review. In the area of > information technology security, the following primary objectives > were identified: > > Development of cryptographic standards > Development of a set of generally-accepted system security > practices > Establishment of a national crisis response clearinghouse > Improved security awareness > Security of the public switched telecommunications network > Internet security > Coordinated security research and development > > In addition, the NPR report cited specific objectives in the > related area of Privacy: > Establishment of a Privacy Protection Board > Development of a set of Fair Information Handling > Practices > > NIST has the lead responsibility in some of these items and a > role in all of them. Although each has some relevance to > Internet security, two items are of particular relevance. > > Internet Security - This specifically focuses on the Internet. > It involves the development of an overall Internet security plan. > The Federal Networking Council has the lead in this activity, > with the participation of several other organizations, including > NIST. > > National Crisis Response Clearinghouse - This will be, in > essence, the expansion and application of the FIRST concept to > the entire Federal Government. NIST has the lead responsibility > for this item. > > E. A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy > > One of the clear directions of the administration is for agencies > to "get connected". Initially, that means electronic mail, and > to most agencies, that means "on the Internet". This presents us > with an interesting situation. For years, the reason that many > agencies used as a reason not to connect to the Internet was > concern over security -- "We don't want to open ourselves up to > hackers." Now, agencies are likely to rush headlong "onto the > Internet" without careful planning, personnel skills, and > knowledge of the security considerations. The likely result, if > we are not careful, is that we will see significant occurrences > of those security problems that the agencies were always worried > about -- a self-fulfilling prophecy. > > This is not to suggest that we should not be moving forward > agressively on connecting to the Internet; the benefits of this > initiative are clear and compelling. However, it does require > that we undertake this effort with care and intelligence. > > NIST's Computer Systems Security and Privacy Advisory Board > (CSSPAB) will be examining this very issue at their quarterly > meeting on March 23rd and 24th. They will be examining the > several agencies' plans for putting agency mission critical > systems on the Internet. > > F. Security Incident Response Efforts > > The Need - Regardless of the security technology and other > measures we put in place on the Internet -- or any other network > -- we will always have security incidents. We will discover > exploitable vulnerabilities. We will suffer intrusions, attacks, > thefts, fraud, network failures, errors and omissions, and > uncountable other possible risks. Since we will never be able to > anticipate, much less prevent all of these problems, we must have > in place effective mechanisms for dealing with them when they do > occur. This is the role of security incident response efforts. > The recent Internet incident reinforces the need for such > activities and demonstrates their value and effectiveness. > > FIRST - Beginning with the aftermath of the 1988 Internet worm > incident, it was recognized that better methods for incident > response and information sharing were needed. It was also clear > that the establishment of a single team or "hot line" would not > work; it would simply be overwhelmed. Out of this was born the > concept of a coalition of response teams -- each serving its own > constituency, but working with the others to share information, > provide alerts, and provide mutual support in the response to > incidents and potential incidents. That concept was embodied in > FIRST, the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams. FIRST > has grown from an initial group of eleven, mostly Government, > teams to over thirty teams now. These teams include Government, > industry, computer manufacturers, and academia -- both U.S. and > international. > > Sharing Sensitive Security Incident Information - In discussing > these well-publicized problems, I think it is important to stress > that we at NIST believe that it is not a good idea to just > publicly announce system security weaknesses, in the hope that > such publicity will result in immediate solutions. Some, indeed > most, security weaknesses cannot be fixed overnight -- for > example, it takes time to correct errors in operating systems, > test the new code, distribute the updated code, and install the > code. Inappropriate publicity about some kinds of weaknesses > will merely serve as a call for their exploitation by malicious > hackers. > > The FIRST concept addresses this problem by establishing a means > for developing a level of trust and cooperation among teams that > permits sharing of information. The FIRST "membership" process > involves endorsement from an existing member, thus providing an > initial level of confidence. Further interactions among teams > have build a level of trust and cooperation that probably could > never have existed otherwise. > > We believe we have demonstrated the success of this concept over > the last few years of FIRST's existence. Groups who would have > never discussed security problems outside their own confines have > been able to work together with the confidence that they can gain > from the knowledge and experience of other groups without > exposing their organizations to attack in the process. > > NIST's Role in FIRST - NIST has played a leadership role in FIRST > from the beginning. NIST led efforts to bring together existing > teams, develop an operational framework, and get the activity > underway. NIST continues to serve as the secretariat of FIRST. > In that role, we provide coordination and technical support. For > example, we established and administer the electronic mail > alerting network used by FIRST members. We are currently > developing plans for a much more aggressive expansion of FIRST > membership throughout the Government. To date, the most active > FIRST members in the Government have been teams from the > "traditional" Internet communities -- the DoD and research > agencies. We are anxious to see more active participation on the > part of the rest of the civilian agencies of Government as they > increasingly become "network players". > > Individual Response Teams - The role of the individual response > team cannot be ignored. These teams are the essence of FIRST. > They must establish procedures for managing incidents within > their defined constituencies, and they must be able to > communicate with the other FIRST teams. The major hurdle we have > seen for agencies to become active in incident reponse activities > (aside from the lack of Internet connectivity in many cases) is > the need to develop an incident response "mindset" to complement > the traditional policy and procedures approach of many computer > security programs. To help address this problem, we published in > 1991 a guidance document, NIST Special Publication 800-3, > Establishing a Computer Security Incident Response Capability. > > In summary, we believe that organized, coordinated, and effective > security incident response efforts throughout government (and > beyond) are critical to the security of the Internet (and the > NII) now and in the future. > > > G. Security Technology > > Security technology is important for the effective enforcement of > security policies in any computer system. Such technology is > especially important in a highly distributed, networked > environment -- such as the Internet -- in which physical and > administrative controls are limited. > > Security Services - Five major security services are identified > in International Standard 7498-2. This standard was developed to > specify the security aspects of the Open System Interconnect > (OSI) model of computer networks. The security services (and a > short explanation of each) include: > > Authentication - Verification of the claimed identity of a > computer or computer network user; > > Access Control - Verification and enforcement of the > authorized uses of a computer network by a user subsequent > to authentication; > > Data Integrity - Verification that the contents of a data > item (e.g., message, file, program) have not been > accidentally or intentionally changed in an unauthorized > manner; > > Data Confidentiality - Protection of the information > content of data from unauthorized disclosure; > > Non-repudiation - Protection against denial of sending (or > receiving) a data item by the sender (or receiver). > > These major security services should be augmented by a number of > auxiliary services (audit, availability assurance) and support > services (key management, security maintenance, network > management). An integrated security system must offer all these > services with a number of security mechanisms implemented in a > number of security products. Technology will advance and provide > for newer, cheaper, better products but the overall security > system need not be changed drastically if it is designed > properly. NIST is working with several organizations seeking an > overall security architecture for unclassified information. An > integrated security system can then be designed with > interchangeable and interoperable parts as needed. > > Advanced Authentication - Since reusable passwords are the > weakest security link in the present Internet, better, more > advanced, authentication techniques are needed. A spectrum of > solutions exist ranging from "one-time" passwords to high tech, > biometric identification systems. Token based authentication and > access control systems appear to be a reasonable compromise among > the goals of low cost, high security and system simplicity. NIST > has developed several token based security systems and continues > to evaluate several new alternatives. Most are based on > something a user carries with them, like a "smart card" or "smart > token" or "smart disk." Software modules unique to an individual > will also suffice if good software protection is provided to the > information in the module. > > Public Key Infrastructure - A public key infrastructure (PKI) is > a part of an integrated security system that is needed to support > certain user authentication, data integrity and data > confidentiality services. A PKI is a distributed system > consisting of people and computers that will verify the correct > identity of a person seeking authorization to use a computer > system or network and then associate a public key with that user > in a highly secure manner. The certificate issuer in the PKI > produces an electronic certificate which contains the identity of > a user, the user's public key, some auxiliary information for the > security system and the digital signature of the CERTIFICATE > ISSUER. The PKI should be established so that a secure "chain of > certificates" is established between any pair of users anywhere, > perhaps, in the world. This allows someone to sign a secure > message, funds transfer or electronic contract and then allows > anyone else to verify the source and authenticity of the message, > etc. NIST, along with several other organizations, are seeking > to design, implement and coordinate the requisite security > services of the PKI. > > Obstacles to Deployment and Use of Security Technology in the > Internet - There are several current impediments to widespread > adoption and use of advanced computer security technologies > within the Internet. However, these should be viewed as > obstacles, not barriers. > > Historic Community Culture - The Internet community has > historically emphasized openess in communications. Computer > security has been viewed as interfering with this goal. > > Internet Management Organization - The Internet is a > loosely coupled coalition of organizations and activities > without a central management structure. Minimal rules must > be followed in order to connect to the Internet backbone > communication system, and certain protocols must be followed > in order to communicate with others on the network. There > are few policies or practices which specify acceptable use > or adequate security (even though policies for both of these > have been developed). The National Performance Review (NPR) > has identified a need for such policies. > > Availability of Security Systems - While there are many > individual security products (seeking a small number of > narrow niche markets), there is still a lack of integrated > security systems. An example of such an integrated security > system would be a commercially supported electronic mail > security mechanism (integrating a comprehensive key > management support system, user authentication and > authorization support services, and user message security > services). > > Interoperability - The commercial security products that > solve similar security problems usually are not > interoperable. A given product may have a large number of > features and interfaces, but will not interoperate with > those of other products. Thus, communities of interest may > adopt and use one product, but those users must obtain a > second product in order to communicate with someone in > another community of interest. Lack of interoperable > products often delay a user from selecting and using any > security until either a de facto or de jure standard > emerges. > > Costs - Since there is yet no universal market for > security products fitting into a seamless security system, > the costs of individual security products built to fill > niche markets are currently high. However, costs will go > down as volume and competition increase. > IV. ORGANIZATIONS, ROLES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES > > There are several organizations in the Government and in the > private sector that have roles in the security of the Internet. > It would be difficult to identify them all here. Therefore, I > will describe briefly NIST's activities and our involvement in > other Internet-related organizations or activities. > > NIST computer security activities have both direct and indirect > relevance to security on the Internet. In general, our programs > address information technology security in all environments. > Howerver, since the Internet is such an important element in our > work and of an increasing number of Government agencies, we have > a number of activities directed specifically at the Internet. > > A. NIST's Computer Security Activities > > Overall Program - In carrying out its mission, NIST seeks to > develop cost-effective security standards and guidelines for > federal systems. These are often voluntarily adopted by those > outside the federal community. We are working in many areas to > develop both the technology and standards and technology that > will be needed in the long term, and addressing short term > requirements for better training and awareness. We have issued > guidelines or standards on many facets of computer security, > including: computer security awareness training, cryptographic > standards, password generation, smart card technology, security > of electronic commerce, viruses and other malicious code, risk > management, and PBX security. We have also issued bulletins on > many computer security issues, which may be of interest to > federal agencies and private sector organizations, including a > July 1993 bulletin on security considerations in connecting to > the Internet. NIST works directly with federal computer security > program managers through our Federal Computer Security Program > Managers' Forum. We also participate on many voluntary standards > activities, and participate in various interagency forums. > > While NIST has published guidance in a wide variety of areas, > including Internet-specific topics, NIST's computer security > program is not focused primarily on the Internet -- or any other > specific network or technology. Operational responsibility for > the Internet, and thus specific, operational responsibility for > security, rests outside NIST. Nevertheless, the Internet is > central to much of the information technology activities and > plans of Government agencies, and NIST has a responsibility to > address those needs. > > General Activities Affecting the Internet - Some of the general > research, standards, and guidance activities of NIST that affect > the Internet include the following: > > Smartcard technology development and application > Advanced authentication technology development and > application > Trusted systems criteria and evaluation > Cryptographic methods, interfaces, and applications > > > Specific Activities Affecting the Internet - In addition, NIST > has undertaken a number of activities that focuse directly on > Internet security issues. These include the following: > > CSL Bulletins - guidance on connecting to the Internet > Special Publications - guidance on Incident Response > Capability > FIRST leadership and support > > Firewalls Research - One of the most actively examined methods of > protecting systems or subnetworks connected to the Internet is > the use of "firewalls" -- specially-programmed machines to > control the interface between a subnetwork and the Internet. > NIST has established, with the assistance of the National > Communications System and others, a new Firewalls Research > Laboratory effort to extend and share knowledge in this important > area. > > In addition to these programmatic activities, NIST is involved in > a number of groups and activities that are directly involved in > Internet security. > > B. Information Infrastructure Task Force > > Security is being addressed on several fronts in the Information > Infrastructure Task Force (IITF). There are specific security > efforts in each of the three main committees of the IITF, plus > the Privacy Working Group of the Information Policy Committee. > NIST is involved all of these efforts. > > C. OMB Circular A-130 > > NIST is working with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in > the revision of Appendix III of OMB Circular A-130. This > appendix specifically addresses agency information technology > security programs. Although this does not address the Internet > specifically, we expect the new appendix to include the > requirement for agency incident response capabilities. > > D. Federal Networking Council > > The Federal Networking Council (FNC) is an interagency group > which coordinates the computer networking activities of federal > agencies that serve general and specific research communities. > The FNC established a security working group to address various > security needs and seek common security services and mechanisms > meeting these needs. The security working group, under the > leadership of NIST, has initiated the following activities: > > Security Policy for Use of the National Research and Education > Network - a high level security policy which specifies the > principles and goals of security in the NREN and then assigns > responsibilities to six categories of participants in the NREN > (completed and approved by the FNC). > > Security Architecture for the NREN - a comprehensive but generic > categorization of the components of security needed to satisfy > the security requirements of the NREN. This activity has been > initiated but not completed. > > Security Action Plan for the NREN - a first draft of an action > plan for developing and fielding security prototype components > (e.g., smartcards, access control tokens) has been developed; > participants in the user acceptance testing are being solicited. > > > E. Internet Society Security Activities > > The sponsors and supporters of the Internet have conducted > several security activities over the past several years. The > CERT and FIRST activities, previously described, were major > activities to alert users of potential and on-going security > problems and to provide information on what to do about them. > The following are other activities and the roles that NIST has > played in each of them. > > Internet Security Policy - The Internet Engineering Task Force > (IETF) sponsored the development of a policy for secure operation > of the Internet. This policy specified six basic guidelines for > security: > > assure individual accountability; > employ available security mechanisms; > maintain security of host computers; > provide computers that embody security controls; > cooperate in providing security; and > seek technical improvements. > > These guidelines were expanded and clarified in the Security > Policy for Use of the National Research and Education Network. > NIST participated in the development of the Internet security > policy and was a major player in development of the NREN security > policy. > > Privacy Enhanced Mail - The IETF sponsored the development of the > Privacy Enhanced Mail (PEM) system. PEM provides the ability to > protect the integrity and confidentiality (i.e., privacy) of > electronic messages on a user-selected basis. PEM utilizes the > popular Simple Mail Transfer Protocol as the foundation for > private (sometimes also called, trusted or secure) mail. PEM > uses the Federal Data Encryption Standard for confidentiality > protection. Digital signatures are used to assure the integrity > of a message and to verify the source (originator) of the > message. NIST was a participant in the group that developed the > specifications for PEM. It is available both as a free, > unsupported software package and a licensed supported software > system.V. SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS > > In summary, then, I think that recent Internet security > experiences have taught us -- or have reinforced -- some > important lessons, and there are some obvious actions that should > follow. > > A. Lessons and Conclusions > > The Internet Is a Lightning Rod - The public already knows about > the Internet and understands that the Internet will be a part of > the national information infrastructure. Thus, any security > problems affecting the Internet reflect on the entire NII effort > and could undermine the public's confidence in and willingness to > use that developing infrastructure. > > Internet Security is Not a "Second Tier" Issue - The attention > that security incidents receive in the media and the impact that > recent incidents have had on the operations of some agencies and > other Internet users make it clear that security is now a first > level concern that must be addressed. > > Organized Incident Response Efforts Work - Despite the widespread > impact of recent incident, it is clear that organized, > cooperative incident response efforts -- which we in the Federal > Government had in-place -- were instrumental in identifying and > mitigating its effect. This incident reinforces the importance > and need for such efforts. > > Traditional, Re-Usable Passwords are Inadequate in a Network > Environment - The nature of data communications networks makes > unacceptable the continued reliance on traditional, re-usable > passwords for user authentication. > > Secure Systems Operations Require Skilled Personnel - The highly > powerful and sophisticated workstations that are increasingly > being connected to the Internet are often operated by technically > unskilled users. Further, most systems come "out of the box" > configured for the easiest-to-install-and-use options -- usually > also the most insecure configuration. To be installed, > connected, and operated securely, these systems currently require > the users to be full-fledged system adminstrators, not just > "ordinary users". This is an unreasonable and unrealistic > expectation. > > B. Recommendations for Action > > Implement the NII/NPR Action Items - The recommendations of the > National Performance Review in the area of information technology > security address specifically some of the needs for the Internet. > NIST and the other action agencies will be working to implement > those recommendations. > > Deploy Advanced Authentication Technology - We must move forward > agressively to deploy already-available technology to replace the > traditional re-usable password as the method of choice for user > authentication. Technologies developed at NIST and those > becoming available in the marketplace can make marked > improvements in the near term. In the longer term, we must begin > establishment of sectoral and national certificate > infrastructures to enable more generally available and > interoperable methods of authentication. > > Promote and Expand Incident Response Activities - The concept > works. We must now move actively to ensure that agencies > throughout Government and constituencies nation-wide establish > active and cooperating incident response capabilities. NIST > plans to continue to lead such efforts within the Government and > promote them world-wide through FIRST and similar activities. > > Educate and Train System Administrators - In the long run, we > cannot demand that users of increasingly sophisticated technology > be technical experts, i.e., system administrators. We must find > ways to deliver secure systems "out of the box". In the short > term, however, we must better train system users. If agencies > are going to connect their networks (and thereby their agencies) > to the Internet and other external networks, their technical > personnel must understand the risks involved and be trained and > equipped to manage such connections securely. NIST and others > have published technical guidance to assist in this process and > will be developing additional guidance in the future. Agencies > must take it upon themselves, however, to ensure adequate > technical training of their personnel. > > Use Available Security Technology - Computer users, system > administrators, and service providers should evaluate and, where > cost-effective, employ current security products and technologies > to reduce risks to acceptable levels. > > C. Conclusion > > There are always trade-offs involved in the use of new or complex > technology -- especially in something as potentially universal as > the Internet and the evolving national information > infrastructure. The challenge, of course, is to find the right > balance of risks and costs against the benefits. However, I must > emphasize that even with a complete restructuring and replacement > of the current Internet we would continue to have security > incidents and other problems. Historically, with the > introduction of any new technology, the miscreants and charlatans > are not far behind. Our task is to work as hard as we can to > anticipate and avoid such problems and, we hope, get and stay a > step or two ahead of the game. I would also like to assure you > that NIST -- in concert with the several other key players in the > Internet -- is both aware of the importance of Internet security > in the context of the evolving national information > infrastructure and actively undertaking efforts to meet that > need. > > Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you again for the opportunity to > speak to your committee. We at NIST -- and the other communities > of interest involved in the Internet and the NII -- look forward > to working with your committee and others in the Congress on this >

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(fwd) May 4 House Hearing on Clipper, Raymond Kammer testimony
by paul＠hawksbill.sprintmrn.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Forwarded message: > > Newsgroups: talk.politics.crypto > From: koontzd(a)io.lrcs.loral.com (David Koontz ) > Subject: May 4 House Hearing on Clipper, Raymond Kammer testimony > Message-ID: <1994May5.010435.17066(a)wdl.loral.com> > Originator: koontzd@io > Sender: news(a)wdl.loral.com > Organization: Loral Rolm Computer Systems > Date: Thu, 5 May 1994 01:04:35 GMT > Lines: 667 > > Statement of > Raymond G. Kammer > Deputy Director, National Institute of Standards and > Technology > Before the > > Committee on the Judiciary > U.S. Senate > > and > > House of Representatives > Committee on Science, Space & Technology > Subcommittee on Technology, Environment and Aviation > > May 3, 1994 > > > Introduction > > Good morning. My name is Raymond G. Kammer, Deputy Director of > the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and > Technology (NIST). Thank you for inviting me here today to > testify on the Administration's key escrow encryption initiative. > The Computer Security Act of 1987 assigns NIST responsibility for > the development of standards for protecting unclassified > government computer systems, except those commonly known as > "Warner Amendment systems" (as defined in Title 10 U.S.C. 2315). > > In response to the topics in which the Committee expressed an > interest, I would like to focus my remarks on the following: > > 1) the principal encryption policy issue confronting us, > > 2) the importance of encryption technology, > > 3) how voluntary key escrow encryption technically works > and how it ensures privacy and confidentiality, > > 4) alternatives to the voluntary key escrow initiative, > > 5) critical components of the Administration's policy on > encryption technology, > > 6) recent initiative to modify Secure Hash Standard, and > > 7) the effectiveness of the Computer Security Act of 1987. > > 1. The Principal Encryption Policy Issue > > First, I would like to broadly outline an important public policy > and societal issue confronting us today regarding unclassified > government and commercial cryptography. In developing > cryptographic standards, one can not avoid two often competing > interests. On the one hand are the needs of users -- corporate, > government, and individual -- in protecting telecommunications > transmissions of sensitive information. Cryptography can be used > for excellent information protection. On the other hand are the > interests of the national security and law enforcement > communities in being able to monitor electronic communications. > In particular, I am focusing upon their need for continued > ability to keep our society safe from crime and our nation > secure. > > Rapid advances in digital telecommunications have brought this > issue to a head. Some experts have stated that, within ten > years, most digital telecommunications will be encrypted. Unless > we address this issue expeditiously, law enforcement will lose an > important tool in fighting crime--the ability to wiretap--and the > mission of our Intelligence Community will be made more > difficult. The Committee is undoubtedly aware of the benefits > such intelligence brings to the nation. This matter raises broad > societal issues of significant importance. I have personally > been involved in many meetings of a philosophical and wide- > ranging nature to discuss this dilemma. > > Four broad conceptual alternatives emerged: > > Seek a legislative mandate criminalizing the use of > unauthorized cryptography. > > Seek wide adoption of an encryption method with an > unannounced "trap door." This was never seriously > considered. > > Seek wide voluntary adoption of a technology > incorporating a secure "key escrow" scheme. > > Allow technology to evolve without government > intervention; in effect, do nothing. > > None of these options satisfies all interested parties fully. I > doubt such a solution even exists, but the Administration has > chosen the voluntary key escrow technology approach as the most > desirable alternative for protecting voice communications without > impairing the ability of law enforcement agencies to continue to > conduct wiretaps. For data communication the long-standing Data > Encryption Standard has recently been recertified for use. > > It is interesting to note that other countries have faced this > same issue and chosen different solutions. France, for example, > outlaws the use of unregistered cryptographic devices within its > borders. > > 2. The Importance of Encryption Technology > > Encryption provides one of the best ways to guarantee information > integrity and obtain cost-effective information confidentiality. > Encryption transforms intelligible information into an > unintelligible form. This is accomplished by using a > mathematical algorithm and a "key" (or keys) to manipulate the > data in a complex manner. The resulting enciphered data can then > be transmitted without fear of disclosure, provided, of course, > that the implementation is secure and the mathematical-based > algorithm is sound. The original information can then be > understood through a decryption process. As I shall discuss, > knowledge of the particular key utilized for a particular > encryption of information (or, in the case of asymmetric > cryptography, knowledge of the associated key of the key pair) > allows decryption of the information. For this reason, such keys > are highly protected. > > Uses of Cryptography > > Encryption can be used in many applications for assuring > integrity and confidentiality, or both. It can be used to > protect the integrity and/or confidentiality of phone calls, > computer files, electronic mail, electronic medical records, tax > records, corporate proprietary data, credit records, fax > transmissions and many other types of electronic information. It > is expected that cryptographic technologies will be used on a > voluntary basis in the protection of information and services > provided via the National Information Infrastructure. > > Encryption used with these and other types of information > protects the individual privacy of our citizens including, for > example, their records and transactions with government agencies > and financial institutions. Private sector organizations can > also benefit from encryption by securing their product > development and marketing plans, for example. It also can > protect against industrial espionage by making computers more > secure against unauthorized break-ins and, if data is encrypted, > making it useless for those without the necessary key. > > The government has long used cryptography for the protection of > its information -- from that involving highly classified defense > and foreign relations activities to unclassified records, such as > those protected under the Privacy Act. My point here is not to > list all potential applications and benefits but to give you a > feel for the innumerable applications and benefits which > encryption, when securely implemented, can provide. > > Hazards of Cryptography > > Counterbalanced against its benefits, encryption also can present > many substantial drawbacks -- to both the government and other > users. First and foremost, encryption can frustrate legally > authorized criminal investigations by the federal, state, and > local law enforcement agencies. As their representatives can > better explain, lawful electronic surveillance has proven to be > of the utmost benefit in both investigating and prosecuting > serious criminal activity, including violent crime. > Cryptographic technologies can also seriously harm our national > security and intelligence capabilities. As I shall discuss, the > Administration recognizes that the consequences of wide-spread, > high quality encryption upon law enforcement and national > security are considerable. > > Encryption may also prove a potential hazard to other users, such > as private sector firms, particularly as we move into the > Information Age. Private firms, too, are concerned about the > misuses of cryptography by their employees. For example, a rogue > employee may encrypt files and offer the "key" for ransom. This > is often referred to as the "data hostage" issue. Keys can also > be lost or forgotten, resulting in the unavailability of data. > Additionally, users of encryption may gain a false sense of > security by using poorly designed or implemented encryption. To > protect against such hazards, some corporations have expressed > interest in a "corporate" key escrowing capability to minimize > harm to their organizations from internal misuse of cryptography. > As security experts point out, such a false sense of security > can be worse than if no security measures were taken at all. > Encryption is not a "cure-all" to all security problems. > > Let me now turn to the details of the Administration's key escrow > encryption initiative. > > 3. Voluntary Key Escrow Encryption Initiative > > Goals of the Voluntary Key Escrow Encryption Initiative > > I will begin my remarks about the government-developed key escrow > encryption chips (referred to as "chips" herein) by discussing > the goals that we were trying to achieve in developing this > technology for application to voice-grade communication. > > At the outset, we sought to develop a technology which provides > very strong protection for government information requiring > confidentiality protection. Much of the sensitive information > which the government holds, processes, and transmits is personal > and requires strong protection. Tax records and census data are > two such examples. We sought nothing less than excellent > protection for government communications. In order to allow > agencies to easily take advantage of this technology, its > voluntary use (in Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) > 185) to protect telephone communications has been approved by the > Secretary of Commerce. > > The chips implementing FIPS 185 efficiently support applications > within the its scope. They far exceed the speed requirements of > commercial modems existing today or envisioned for the near > future. > > In addition to the need for strong information protection, the > increasingly digitized nature of advanced telecommunications is > expected to significantly hamper the ability of domestic law > enforcement to carry out lawfully authorized wiretapping. Their > problem has two dimensions. > > First, the design and complexity of the nation's > telecommunications networks makes locating those communications > which can be lawfully tapped very difficult. This is the digital > telephony issue, which my law enforcement colleague will discuss > today. > > Second, the proliferation of encryption is expected to make law > enforcement's tasks more difficult. If a telephone conversation > is encrypted, resources must be expended for decryption, where > feasible. Such expenditures and technical capabilities are > normally far outside the ability of local law enforcement > organizations and could be quite significant at the federal > level. In seeking to make available a strong encryption > technology, we have sought to take in to account the needs of the > law enforcement community. For example, one of the reasons that > the SKIPJACK algorithm, the formula on which the key escrow chip > is based, is being kept classified is that its release would make > their job much harder were it to be used to hide criminal > activity. > > Misconceptions Concerning the Purpose of the Voluntary Key Escrow > Encryption Initiative > > A number of those opposed to this Administration initiative have > expressed doubt about whether the key escrow encryption > initiative can do anything to solve this nation's crime problem. > Of course, this initiative cannot by itself do so. The basic > intent of the program is the provision of sound security, without > adversely affecting other government interests, including, when > necessary, the protection of society through lawfully authorized > electronic surveillance. > > The voluntary key escrow encryption initiative, first and > foremost, was devised to provide solid, first-rate cryptographic > security for the protection of information held by the government > when government agencies decide such protection is needed for > unclassified government communications -- for example, tax, > social security and proprietary information. (The Escrowed > Encryption Standard (FIPS 185) allows federal agencies to use > this technology for protection of telephone communications.) > This was done, in part, with the realization that the current > government cryptographic technique, the Data Encryption Standard > (which was recently re-approved) is over fifteen years old; while > DES is still sound, its usefulness will not continue > indefinitely. We also recognized that were we to disclose an > even stronger algorithm (with the government's "seal of > approval"), it could be misused to hamper lawful investigations, > particularly electronic surveillance. > > In approving this initiative, we felt it important that > protective measures be taken to prevent its misuse -- a safety > catch, if you will. This will help assure that this powerful > technology is not misused if adopted and used voluntarily by > others. Our method of providing this safety mechanism relies > upon escrowing cryptographic key components so that, if the > technology is misused, lawful investigations will not be > thwarted. Additionally, the algorithm (SKIPJACK) will remain > classified so that its only uses will be consistent with our > safety mechanism, key escrowing. I think it is fair to say that > use of this powerful algorithm without key escrowing could pose a > serious threat to our public safety and our national security. > > Key Escrow Encryption Technology > > The National Security Agency, in consultation with NIST and the > federal law enforcement community, undertook to apply voluntary > key escrow encryption technology to voice-grade communications. > The product of this effort was announced in the April 16, 1993 > White House release concerning the key escrow encryption chip. I > note that we have chosen to discontinue use of the term "Clipper > Chip" to avoid potential confusion with products and services > with similar names. > > The state-of-the-art microcircuit, the key escrow encryption > chip, can be used in new, relatively inexpensive encryption > devices that can be attached to an ordinary telephone. It > scrambles telephone communications using an encryption algorithm > more powerful than many in commercial use today. The SKIPJACK > algorithm, with an 80-bit long cryptographic key,is approximately > 16 million times stronger than DES. For the record, I will > restate my earlier public statements that there is no trapdoor in > the algorithm. > > Each key escrow encryption chip has two basic functions. The > first is an encryption function, which is accomplished by the > SKIPJACK algorithm, developed and rigorously tested by NSA. The > second function is a law enforcement access method. I will > discuss each briefly. > > The SKIPJACK algorithm is a symmetric algorithm (as opposed to > "public-key" algorithms). Basically, this means that the same > cryptographic key (the session key) is used for both encryption > and decryption. The algorithm is so strong that the Department > of Defense will evaluate it for use in protecting selected > classified applications. > > The second basic function of the chip is the provision for law > enforcement access under lawful authorization. To do so, each > chip is programmed with three values: a cryptographic family > key, a device unique key, and a serial number. (The device > unique key is split into two key components which are then > encrypted and are provided to the two current escrow agents, NIST > and the Automated Systems Division of the Department of the > Treasury, for secure storage.) These three values are used in > conjunction with the session key (which itself encrypts the > message) in the creation of the law enforcement access field. > When law enforcement has obtained lawful authorization for > electronic surveillance, the serial number can be obtained > electronically. Law enforcement can then take the serial number > and a certification of their legal authorization to the two > escrow agents. (Detailed procedures for the release of these key > components were issued by the Department of Justice in early > February.) After these certifications are received, the > encrypted components will be transmitted by escrow agent > officials for combination in the decrypt-processor. > > After decryption of the key components within the decrypt > processor, the two key components are then mathematically > combined, yielding the device unique key. This key is used to > obtain another key, the session key, which is used to decrypt and > understand the message. This device unique key may be used by > law enforcement only for the decryption of communications > obtained during the applicable period of time of the lawful > electronic surveillance authorization. It can also only be used > to decrypt communications transmitted or received by the device > in question. > > Security and Privacy Using Key Escrow Encryption > > When the Administration announced the voluntary key escrow > encryption initiative, we anticipated that questions would be > raised about the strength and integrity of the SKIPJACK > algorithm, which is at the heart of the system. We assured the > public that we knew of no weakness in the algorithm and that > there was not an undisclosed point of entry, commonly referred to > as a trapdoor. The algorithm was designed by cryptographic > experts at the National Security Agency and withstood a rigorous > testing and analysis process. > > As a further way to indicate the fundamental strength of > SKIPJACK, we invited a group of independent experts in > cryptography to review the algorithm, under appropriate security > conditions, and make their results publicly known, again, > consistent with the classified nature of the algorithm. This > group consisted of Ernest Brickell (Sandia National > Laboratories), Dorothy Denning (Georgetown University), Stephen > Kent (BBN Communications Corp.), David Maher (AT&T) and Walter > Tuchman (Amperif Corp.). These experts reported that: > > Under an assumption that the cost of processing power > is halved every eighteen months, it will be 36 years > before the cost of breaking SKIPJACK by exhaustive > search will be equal to the cost of breaking DES today; > > > and > > There is no significant risk that SKIPJACK can be > broken through a shortcut method of attack. > > Let me also repeat the reasons why the algorithm must remain > classified. First, we believe it would be irresponsible to > publish the technical details. This would be tantamount to > handing over this strong algorithm to those who may use it to > hide criminal activity. Publishing the algorithm may also reveal > some of the classified design techniques that NSA uses to design > military-strength technology. It would also allow devices to be > built without the key escrowing feature, again allowing criminals > to take advantage of the strength of this very powerful > technology without any safeguard for society. > > With regard to privacy, key escrow encryption can, of course, be > used to protect personal information contained in telephone > communications. Moreover, the voluntary key escrow encryption > initiative does not expand the government's authority for the > conduct of electronic surveillance, as my colleague from the > Federal Bureau of Investigation will discuss. It is important to > understand that the escrow agents will not track the devices by > individual owners; they will simply maintain a database of chip > ID numbers and associated chip unique key components (which > themselves are encrypted). > > > 4. Alternatives to the Voluntary Key Escrow Initiative > > In reaction to industry's concerns about our hardware-only > implementation of key escrow encryption, we announced an > opportunity for industry to work with us on developing secure > software-based key escrow encryption. Unfortunately, initial > industry interest was minimal; our offer, however, remains open. > We are also willing to work on hardware alternatives to key > escrowing as we emphasized in our recent announcements. > > The Administration has been seeking to meet with members of the > computer, software, and telecommunications industries to discuss > the importance of this matter. We are open to other approaches. > > > 5. Key Government Policies on Unclassified/Commercial Encryption > > Encryption is an important tool to protect privacy and > confidentiality. > > As I discussed earlier, encryption is powerful technology that > can protect the confidentiality of data and the privacy of > individuals. The government will continue to rely on this > technology to protect its secrets as well as the personal and > proprietary data it maintains. Use of encryption by federal > agencies is encouraged when it cost-effectively meets their > security requirements. > > No legislation restricting domestic use of cryptography. > > Early in the policy review process, we stated that the > Administration would not be seeking legislation to restrict the > use, manufacture, or sale of encryption products in the U.S. > This was a fear that was expressed in the public comments we > received, and one that continues, despite our repeated assertions > to the contrary. Let me be clear - this Administration does not > seek legislation to prohibit or in any way restrict the domestic > use of cryptography. > > Export Controls on encryption are necessary but administrative > procedures can be streamlined. > > Encryption use worldwide affects our national security. While > this matter cannot be discussed in detail publicly without harm > to this nation's intelligence sources and methods, I can point to > the Vice President's public statement that encryption has "huge > strategic value." The Vice President's description of the > critical importance of encryption is important to bear in mind as > we discuss these issues today. > > In recent months, the Administration has dramatically relaxed > export controls on computer and telecommunications equipment. > However, we have retained export controls on encryption > technology, in both hardware and software. These controls > strongly promote our national security. These export controls > include mass market software implementing the Data Encryption > Standard. The Administration determined, however, that there are > a number of reforms the government can implement to reduce the > burden of these controls on U.S. industry. > > These reforms are part of the Administration's goal to eliminate > unnecessary controls and ensure efficient implementation of those > controls that must remain. For example, fewer licenses will be > required by exporters since manufacturers will be able to ship > their approved products from the U.S. directly to customers > within approved regions without obtaining individual licenses for > each end user. Additionally, the State Department has set a > license review turnaround goal of two working days for most > applications. Moreover, the State Department will no longer > require that U.S. citizens obtain an export license prior to > taking encryption products out of the U.S. temporarily for their > own personal use. Lastly, after a one-time initial technical > review, key escrow encryption products may now be exported to > most end users. These reforms should help to minimize the effect > of export controls on U.S. industry. > > The Government requires a mechanism to deal with continuing > encryption policy issues. > > In recognition of this, the Interagency Working Group on > Encryption and Telecommunications was formed in recognition of > the possibility that the economic significance of our current > encryption policy could change. The Working Group has been > assigned to monitor changes in the balance that the President has > struck with these policy decisions and to recommend changes in > policy as circumstances warrant. The Working Group will work > with industry on technologies like the key escrow encryption chip > and in the development and evaluation of possible alternatives to > the chip. > > The group is co-chaired by the White House Office of Science and > Technology Policy and the National Security Council. It includes > representatives from all departments and agencies which > participated in the policy review and others as appropriate, and > keeps the Information Policy Committee of the Information > Infrastructure Task Force apprised of its activities. > > Flexibility on Encryption Approaches. > > >From the time of the initial White House announcement of this > technology, we have stated that this key escrow encryption > technology provides 1) exceptionally strong protection and 2) a > feature to protect society against those that would seek to > misuse it. I have personally expressed our flexibility in > seeking solutions to these difficult issues. We have offered to > work with industry in developing alternative software and > hardware approaches to key escrowing. We actively seek > additional solutions to these difficult problems. > > We also stand willing to assist the Congressionally-directed > study of these issues by the National Research Council. > > Use of EES is voluntary and limited to telephone systems. > > The Escrowed Encryption Standard, which was approved on February > 3, 1994, is a voluntary standard for use both within and outside > of the federal government. It is applicable for protecting > telephone communications, including voice, fax and modem. No > decisions have been made about applying key escrow encryption > technology to computer-to-computer communications (e.g., e-mail) > for the federal government. > > Government standards should not harm law enforcement/national > security > > This is fairly straightforward, but can be difficult to achieve. > In setting standards, the interests of all the components of the > government should be taken into account. In the case of > encryption, this means not only the user community, but also the > law enforcement and national security communities, particularly > since standards setting activities can have long-term impacts > (which, unfortunately, can sometimes be hard to forecast). > > 6. Secure Hash Standard > > As the Committee may be aware, NIST has recently initiated the > process to issue a technical modification to Federal Information > Processing Standard 180, the Secure Hash Standard. The Secure > Hash Standard uses a cryptographic-type algorithm to produce a > short hash value (also known as a "representation" or "message > digest") of a longer message or file. This hash value is > calculated such that any change to the file or message being > hashed, will, to a very high degree of probability, change the > hash value. This standard can be used alone to protect the > integrity of data files against inadvertent modification. When > used in conjunction with a digital signature, it can be used to > detect any unauthorized modification to data. > > Our intent to modify the standard was announced by NIST after the > National Security Agency informed me that their mathematicians > had discovered a previously unknown weakness in the algorithm. > This meant that the standard, while still very strong, was not as > robust as we had originally intended. This correction will > return the standard to its intended level of strength. > > I think this announcement illustrates two useful issues with > regard to cryptographic-based standards. First, developing sound > cryptographic technology is very difficult. This is also seen > with commercial algorithms, including those used for hashing and > encryption. Secondly, this incident demonstrates the commitment > of NIST, with NSA's technical assistance, to promulgating sound > security standards. In this case, a weakness was found, and is > being quickly corrected. > > > > 7. Effectiveness of the Computer Security Act of 1987 > > Lastly, as requested in your invitation to appear here today, let > me briefly address the effectiveness of the Computer Security Act > of 1987 (P.L. 100-235). I will first briefly comment on what we > learned about the state of computer security in the federal > government during our agency visit process and then turn to > cryptographic-specific issues. > As part of our efforts to increase awareness of the need for > computer security, during 1991-1992, officials from OMB, NIST and > NSA visited 28 federal departments and agencies. Each visit was > designed to increase senior managers' awareness of security > issues and to motivate them to improve security. I believe that > what we learned during those visits remains valid -- and > indicates that we still need to focus on basic computer security > issues in the government. > > Specifically, OMB, NIST and NSA proposed the following steps to > improve security: > > Focus management attention on computer security. > Improve planning for security. > Update security awareness and training programs. > Improve contingency planning and incident response > capabilities. > Improve communication of useful security techniques. > Assess security vulnerabilities in emerging information > technologies. > > Actions are being taken by NIST and other agencies to address > each of these areas. The background and discussion of the need > for these measures is discussed in the summary report prepared by > OMB on "Observations of Agency Computer Security Practices and > Implementation of OMB Bulletin No. 90-08" (February 1993). In > short, the Computer Security Act provides an appropriate > framework for agencies to continue improving the security of > their automated systems -- but much work remains to be done, by > NIST and individual federal agencies. > > One of the questions that the Committee was interested in was > whether there is a need to modify this legislation in response to > the same advancements in technology that led to the key escrow > initiative and digital telephony proposal. First, I would > observe that the Act, as a broad framework, is not tied to a > specific technology. I think it would be unworkable if the Act > were to address specific computer technologies, since this is a > rapidly evolving field. Also, I would note that the Act does not > address digital telephony concerns -- the Administration is > proposing separate legislation in that area. In short, no > modifications to the Act are necessary because of technology > advances. > > Before leaving the subject of the Computer Security Act, however, > let me briefly comment on the Escrowed Encryption Standard. I > strongly believe that NIST and NSA have complied with the spirit > and intent of the Act. At the same time, this issue underscores > the complex issues which arise in the course of developing > computer security standards, particularly cryptographic-based > standards for unclassified systems. > > The Act, as you are aware, authorizes NIST to draw upon computer > security guidelines developed by NSA to the extent that NIST > determines they are consistent with the requirements for > protecting sensitive information in federal computer systems. In > the area of cryptography, we believe that federal agencies have > valid requirements for access to strong encryption (and other > cryptographic-related standards) for the protection of their > information. We were also aware of other requirements of the law > enforcement and national security community. Since NSA is > considered to have the world's foremost cryptographic > capabilities, it only makes sense (from both a technological and > economic point of view) to draw upon their guidelines and skills > as useful inputs to the development of standards. The use of > NSA-designed and -tested algorithms is fully consistent with the > Act. We also work jointly with NSA in many other areas, > including the development of criteria for the security evaluation > of computer systems. They have had more experience than anyone > else in such evaluations. As in the case of cryptography, this > is an area in which NIST can benefit from NSA's expertise. > > Summary > > Key escrow encryption can help protect proprietary information, > protect the privacy of personal phone conversations and prevent > unauthorized release of data transmitted telephonically. Key > escrow encryption is available as a valuable tool for protecting > federal agencies' critical information communicated by telephone. > At the same time, this technology preserves the ability of > federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to intercept > lawfully the phone conversations of criminals. > > Encryption technology will play an increasingly important > security role in future computer applications. Its use for > security must be balanced with the need to protect all Americans > from those who break the law. > > Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would be pleased to answer your > questions. > >

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