By making full use of the technology available, it can be safely stated that our implementation of modern cryptography is for all practical purposes unbreakable. Cryptography is an arcane science, baffling to mathematically-unsophisticated laymen. Fundamental to the technique is the generation of pseudo-random numbers called key variables, known only to message originators and recipients. Keys are applied to digitised messages through proprietary algorithms, so that messages are completely meaningless to recipients not possessing vital key data. Possession of the algorithms alone does not compromise security, since intercepted data is unintelligible without knowledge of the key.
Human factors are the only security risks.
Message originators, secretaries and cipher clerks as examples of deliberate or unwitting passers of key variables to electronic eavesdroppers. Areas of possible vulnerability are key generation, distribution, insertion, administration and destruction. Crypto AG counsels its customers on these key-management functions, imparting awareness of physical disciplines, including advice on key change frequency, key distribution control and longevity, and destruction of obsolete key data. Security is enhanced by the fact that personnel inserting keys into equipment need not be aware of key details. More and more, the operator is not even aware that keys are being loaded or changed.