For every opportunity presented by the information age, there is an opening to invade the privacy and threaten the security of the nation, U.S. businesses, and citizens in their private lives. The more information that is transmitted in computer-readable form, the more vulnerable we become to automated spying.
Rival companies can glean proprietary secrets . . .
With patience and persistence, numerous pieces of data can be assembled into a revealing mosaic. Cryptography's Role in Securing the Information Society addresses the urgent need for a strong national policy on cryptography that promotes and encourages the widespread use of this powerful tool for protecting of the information interests of individuals, businesses, and the nation as a whole, while respecting legitimate national needs of law enforcement and intelligence for national security and foreign policy purposes. The committee enlarges the scope of policy options and offers specific conclusions and recommendations for decision makers. This volume takes a realistic look at what cryptography can and cannot do and how its development has been shaped by the forces of supply and demand. These and other thought-provoking questions are explored.