Cryptography Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 8
Cryptology, Politics,
and Business
We arrive at the end of this topic and get back to its beginning: what role does
cryptology play today and in the future? We know more about this fascinating
field than we did at the beginning. So we can be more specific and try to
propose solutions to the problems.
8.1 The End of the Crypto-Monopoly
When our notion of values was essentially connected to material goods, it
was primarily a matter of protecting
them
against theft and destruction. Our
entire security technology and laws are still oriented to this: locks, doors,
alarm systems, estate regulations, deed registrations, and so on. In contrast,
the protection of knowledge, such as by patents or copyrights, is much more
complicated.
Really sensitive information that had to be kept secret was in the hands of
diplomats, intelligence agencies, and militaries. No wonder these were the home
of cryptology. According to [KahnCode], who consulted many militaries and
members of intelligence agencies, cryptanalysis helped win more information
about the adversary than the entire espionage activities in World War II. Better
