IP: GROUP OFFERS COMPROMISE ON ENCRYPTION TECHNOLOGY from Edupage

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

This is no compromise . It is a reasonable plan to protect the network fabric being sold as sometimg that protects the 
users. All their stuff would still be in the clear relative to Law Enforcement and thus sounce/sink encription (in the 
users computers) or at the corporate gateway to the incoming doorbell would still be required. djf




A coalition of computer industry firms, led by Cisco Systems Inc., is
offering a new approach to encryption technology that will keep messages
secure, but also allow government officials to "eavesdrop" if necessary.
"It's not the complete answer, but it's a very positive step," says the VP
of marketing for Network Associates.  Other members of the group include Sun
Microsystems, Novell and Hewlett-Packard.  The technology enables messages
to be scrambled for privacy, but provides two restricted access points --
so-called "private doorbells" -- at the beginning and the end of each
transmission.  A Clinton administration representative called the proposal a
"creative and innovative plan" and officials at the Commerce and Justice
Departments will review it in the coming weeks to see how it meshes with
their policies.  (Wall Street Journal 13 July 1998)