Scientific-Atlanta Announces Development of PowerKEY Conditional Access System Using RSA 'Public Key' Encryption Techniques PowerKEY System Will Provide Sophisticated Security For Signal Content, Interactive Messaging and Electronic Commerce S-A Becomes First Digital Set-Top Terminal Provider To Use Patented RSA Algorithms Atlanta, Jan. 9 -- Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. announced today that it has licensed advanced encryption technology from RSA Data Security, Inc. to be included in its PowerKEY(TM) digital conditional access system, which is being developed for use in set-top terminals, headend components, cable modems and network element management software. The system will combine public key and secret key cryptographic methods in physically secure implementations to provide a high-performance security solution for broadband networks. Sophisticated conditional access systems allow cable and other broadband network operators to be more flexible in implementing new services that employ easy-to-use security. For example, both content providers and network operators can have their own secure way to protect content and communicate interactively with subscribers. Theft of services, falsified orders, and vandalism of software and databases can be curtailed. Sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, can be encrypted and exchanged. In addition, the identity of the sender and the message content can be authenticated -- an important capability for multi-provider authorization environments and for validation of orders from subscribers. The PowerKEY system, which is designed to be a licensable access control and security system, will combine robust security and encryption techniques with physically secure implementation and sophisticated control systems. The PowerKEY system will be available on a variety of interactive and broadcast networks, including CATV broadcast, data, broadband multimedia, switched and terrestrial wireless. Its key functions will include: -- message authentication to reject altered content and prevent downloading computer viruses to digital terminals -- RSA's method of digital signature to provide unambiguous confirmation of sender's identity -- public key encryption for secure transfer of entitlements, authorizations and consumer orders -- high-speed secret key encryption to protect against theft of services -- physically secure logic with renewable and replaceable security modules to thwart pirate tampering -- seamless operation in support of both analog and digital services -- multi-provider authenticated key management -- forward and reverse path protection -- messaging with guaranteed non-repudiation without need for trusted third parties RSA's products are considered a de facto standard for data encryption and authentication all over the world. The license to Scientific-Atlanta is the first that RSA has granted to a set-top terminal manufacturer of its widely adopted, patented technique for private messaging and digital signature authentication. The agreement provides for the licensing of RSA technology, including the algorithms that enable RSA's public key-private key cryptography. No other terms of the agreement were disclosed. With the PowerKEY system, Scientific-Atlanta plans to use RSA cryptography algorithms in its end-to-end digital systems -- set-top terminals, headend equipment and control systems -- to improve communications security for digital pay-per-view, cable modems and other broadcast and interactive applications. Scientific-Atlanta also plans to license the PowerKEY system for use by other manufacturers. The widespread deployment of RSA encryption methods supports the move to open standards of interactivity. "RSA's public key technology is one of the most advanced forms of commercial cryptography available today," said Michael P. Harney, Scientific-Atlanta's vice president and general manager of broadband systems and technology. For the first time, this highly sophisticated encryption technology will be bundled in a conditional access system for both broadcast and interactive applications. This means carriers and MSOs will have a much better way to manage conditional access issues." The PowerKEY system's implementation of RSA algorithms and Cylink Corporation's "Stanford patents" (licensing of which was also announced today by Scientific-Atlanta) is designed to be compatible with global open standards, such as MPEG, DVB and DAVIC. RSA developed and patented a method of exchanging authenticated secret messages without exchanging secret keys. Most encryption systems rely on the sender of a message or document to know the receiver's "secret key." The more parties a secret key is distributed to, the more vulnerable it becomes to unauthorized use. With RSA's "public key" approach, a person's public key can be made available to any interested party to send that person a private message. There is no need to privately exchange secret keys. For other parts of the electronic network services application, such as digital video transmission, the PowerKEY system will employ proven private key algorithms that provide high-speed operation and excellent signal security. RSA Data Security is a leading cryptographic research and development firm. Its products focus on the secure creation, transmission and storage of data, as well as authenticating the author of data. RSA provides software developers with its BSAFE(TM) cryptography engine, which includes multiple algorithms and modules for adding encryption and authentication features to any application. Scientific-Atlanta plans to use RSA's engines for development of some elements of the PowerKEY system. Scientific-Atlanta is a leader in providing conditional access systems for broadband and satellite communications networks. Its Vari-Axis(TM) analog descrambling systems are deployed in millions of analog set-tops, and a robust, secret-key digital conditional access system, based on proven BMAC technology, is part of the PowerVu(TM) system family of products. The PowerKEY system will expand Scientific-Atlanta's product line to include the industry's first conditional access system to utilize public key cryptography. Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. (http://www.sciatl.com) is a leading supplier of broadband communications systems, satellite-based video, voice and data communications networks and worldwide customer service and support. The company is the Official Broadband Video Distribution Sponsor of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.