Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: Notesfiles; site ucbtopaz.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!hplabs!hpisla!hplvla!ucbtopaz!newton2 From: newton2@ucbtopaz.UUCP (newton2) Newsgroups: net.crypt Subject: Re: Re: Xenix & crypt (fairly LONG) Message-ID: <878@ucbtopaz.UUCP> Date: Thu, 4-Apr-85 12:30:00 EST Article-I.D.: ucbtopaz.878 Posted: Thu Apr 4 12:30:00 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 14-Apr-85 03:56:26 EST References: <134@mot.UUCP> Organization: Hewlett-Packard Lines: 35 Based on my continuing embroilment with NSA and the Dept. of Commerce on the issue of exporting crypto devices (voice security) here's how I understand their position: DES may NOT be exported except for certain specified purposes, which I believe encompass banking, financial transaction and possibly point-of- sale terminals. Please don't tax ME me the Carrollian logic thAT SEEMS TO (whoops- accidental caps lock) underlie this "policy". RSA is exportable "for key exchange but not for encryption applications" they seem to be worried about implementations that are capable enough for crypt purposes, but I can't really be sure. When you say that DES flourishes on both sides of the water, your customers might want to use it and they appear to be forcing you to export code with a DES-shaped hole in it together with Brer rabbit-type instructions not under any circumstances to path DES into that briar patch, they (NSA) just shrug and say there's more things in COMSEC heaven and earth than are dream't of in my philosophy. I really and truly don't understand what they want or are up to WRT to this DES stuff- it just hurts American companies, as far as I can tell, since there's no dearth of skill and security consciousness elsewhere, based on my recent travels in Europe. By the way, regarding the ITAR restrictions on crypto devices exported from/to USA, I THINK that their are essentially no restrictions onm USA exports to Canada (although of course Canada is depended upon to reliably manage controls on the re-export of equipt. to third countries. By the way, let me repeat here an apparently VAX-aborted appeal for info on the key-management scheme to be used in NSA's multi-gigabuck secure telephone project. NY Time sdescribe two (classified and civilian) key management centers and a vaguely defined proces of key-insertion at machine birth. What then? RSA? Please, someone, a comprehensive posting pronto-- I an't keep getting my information on cryptography from the National Enquirer! Thanks, Doug Maisel 415 548-4858 ucbvax!ucbtopaz!newton2