Strong Encryption Is Essential to Our Security, Not a Barrier | Internet Society]

["Dave Farber" <farber () gmail com>]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Bob Hinden <bob.hinden () gmail com>
> Date: October 13, 2017 at 12:57:53 PM EDT
> To: Dave Farber <farber () gmail com>
> Cc: Bob Hinden <bob.hinden () gmail com>
> Subject: [Strong Encryption Is Essential to Our Security, Not a Barrier | Internet Society]
>
> Dave,
>
> For IP, if you like.
>
> Bob
>
> —————
>
> https://www.internetsociety.org/blog/2017/10/strong-encryption-essential-security-not-barrier/
>
> "Strong Encryption Is Essential to Our Security, Not a Barrier"
>
> By Mark Buell
> Regional Bureau Director, North America
>
> Encryption technologies help protect user data from theft and they help secure critical infrastructure and services 
> that societies depend on. But, encryption is also available to criminals and terrorists. This puts law enforcement 
> agencies in a difficult position. In effect, they are faced with the dilemma of how to gather evidence on criminals 
> and other adversaries who may be using encryption, while at the same time, not putting the safety of law-abiding 
> citizens at greater risk. While we at the Internet Society recognize the challenges facing law enforcement, we 
> believe that strong encryption should be available to all Internet users as it is an important technical solution to 
> protect their communications and data.
>
> This dilemma was voiced by U.S. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in a recent speech. He argued that “Encrypted 
> communications that cannot be intercepted and locked devices that cannot be opened are law-free zones that permit 
> criminals and terrorists to operate without detection by police and without accountability by judges and juries.”
>
> This problem, claimed Rosenstein, can be solved with what he calls “responsible encryption.” To Rosenstein, 
> “responsible encryption” could “involve effective, secure encryption that allows access only with judicial 
> authorization.” Unfortunately, if a way is made for law enforcement to bypass encryption, it could be exploited by 
> anyone else. A criminal would only have to discover the bypass to gain the same access as law enforcement. Even the 
> strongest of locks will always open to its key. No matter how a company creates access to encrypted communications or 
> data, they introduce new attack vectors that weaken encryption and put users at greater risk. Fact is, there have 
> been numerous recent examples of governmentsand corporations losing critical information.
>
> As the Internet Society has noted before, the mathematical theory upon which encryption is built is in the public 
> realm. In fact, there are many reference implementations available of encryption technology. As a result, even if 
> technology companies are required to provide special law-enforcement access, a new black market for underground 
> encrypted products would likely spring up to support criminals and terrorist networks.
>
> Internet trust and secure communications are critical for growing the economy, spurring innovation, and promoting the 
> free exchange of ideas in the United States. Any weakening of encryption will compromise the security of all users, 
> stifle innovation, and reduce trust in the Internet.
>
> As I’ve blogged before, strong encryption is essential to our security, not a barrier. It makes everyone more secure 
> from threats from criminals, terrorists, and other adversaries. Weakening encryption may seem like an attractive 
> option, a quick fix to a real security challenge. However, in the long-term, it will undermine the online safety of 
> everyone.



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