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From: tgl@a.sei.cmu.edu (Tom Lane)
Newsgroups: net.crypt
Subject: Re: NSDD 145 and the end of DES? (really ComSec)
Message-ID: <217@a.sei.cmu.edu>
Date: Fri, 7-Feb-86 23:01:17 EST
Article-I.D.: a.217
Posted: Fri Feb  7 23:01:17 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 11-Feb-86 04:37:47 EST
References: <2988@ncsu.UUCP>
Organization: Carnegie-Mellon University, CS/RI
Lines: 16

NSA's ComSec program is apparently geared to developing new
communications *hardware*.  They are interested in certifying
new cryptographic algorithms and hardware implementations of
same, but seemingly not in certifying software.  (we tried...)

This seems a mite peculiar to me, as an algorithm is an
algorithm whether expressed in software or silicon.
Possibly they have some idea of restricting the spread of
knowledge by only allowing new algorithms to be implemented
in chips (much harder to examine than programs).

If anyone has more info on the charter of the ComSec program,
and especially on whether they have any actual authority
over civilian work, I'd be interested to hear it.

			tom lane (lane@cmu-cs-a.ARPA)