Ozzie Outlines New Feature At RSA Data Security Conference San Francisco, Jan. 17 -- Ray Ozzie, president of Iris Associates, the developer of Lotus Notes, informed an audience at the RSA Data Security Conference here today that Notes Release 4, which began shipping this month, utilizes a new method of security called "differential workfactor cryptography." This new method allows the International Edition of Notes to use an encryption key equal in strength to the 64-bit key in the North American Edition, without the use of "key escrow" technologies. Ozzie explained that in the International Edition of Lotus Notes Release 4, whenever an encrypted 64-bit bulk data key is generated by the product, it is bound to a "workfactor reduction field," giving the U.S. government exclusive access to 24 of the 64 bits. When using the North American Edition of Lotus Notes within the U.S. and Canada, however, full 64-bit encryption is employed without the "workfactor reduction field." The two editions of Notes are fully interoperable. "We are very pleased to have arrived at a pragmatic short-term solution that addresses our international customers' requests for greater security within Notes," Ozzie said. "However, we continue to argue vigorously that, due to clear and present threats to our global information systems, all interests would be well served by widespread use of strong, high-grade cryptography. Without substantial rethinking of U.S. cryptography policy, particularly as it pertains to export controls, our global and national economic security is at risk."