The problem is magnified at the corporate level. 1 IBM is not unique in having suffered from electronic eavesdroppers. Weak links exist throughout electronic communications, in networks and in distributed computer systems. An Alaskan oil company kept losing leasing bids by small amounts to competitors. Employees at British Airways read Virgin Atlantic Airlines' passenger records.
Deceptive communications can easily undermine users' confidence in a system.
Private citizens may want to protect their communications from electronic eavesdroppers. Over the past five years, thousands of mainframe computers have been replaced by networked computing systems. This process is accelerating, and that change will increase the importance of secure electronic communications. Businesses will teleconnect with customers to sell and bill. Manufacturers will electronically query suppliers to check product availability.