Are Crypto Wars Coming? Issues & Solutions

Are Crypto Wars Coming? Issues & Solutions

Wednesday 9H

Convener: Steve McCown

Notes-taker(s): Ben Gregori

Tags for the session - technology discussed/ideas considered:

In the 1990’s, 'crypto wars' emerged when society began using strong encryption that governments couldn’t crack. Now that strong crypto use is pervasive online, is our digital society heading towards a new round of 'crypto wars' or are there alternatives?

Discussion notes, key understandings, outstanding questions, observations, and, if appropriate to this discussion: action items, next steps:

1. Notes received from Steve McCown:

Summary of the session:

In the 1990’s, 'crypto wars' emerged when society began using strong encryption that governments couldn’t crack.  Now that strong crypto use is pervasive online, is our digital society heading towards a new round of 'crypto wars' or are there alternatives? 

Link to presentation:

https://www.slideshare.net/stevenhmccown/are-crypto-wars-coming-144775751

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2. Notes received from Ben Gregori

Do we want Encryption or Security from law enforcement?

What are back doors? They allow root access into a device, performed by secret accounts/passwords, intentially weak cryptography

Ex.

• Cisco had 0-day attack enabling CIA to remotely control 318 products (Wikileaks 2017)
• VW created static keys open 100M VW vehicles

Problems:

• Insider abuse (pseronal, political, financial)
• External hackers
• Uncontrolled execution

“Responsible Encryption” literally means backdoors