MIT Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science

Protection of Valuable Information

Robert Morris
National Security Agency, Retired

Thursday, November 20, 1997
3:30 PM (refreshments 3:15)
Edgerton Hall, Room 34-101
LCS Distinguished Lecture

Abstract

Over the past few decades, there has been a considerable shift in the area of protection and exploitation of valuable information. In the past, the relevant skills were exercised by governments to protect or exploit military and diplomatic information. Nowadays, much of the interest in information protection is by individuals wishing to protect their privacy and by organizations wishing to protect their financial interests.

Here are the that come up that are worth some thought:

- does the breakup of the Soviet Union significantly reduce the exploitation of U.S. Government information?

- has the world wide spread of ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) led to a great deal of electronic theft - and, if so how are they protected?

- is cryptography more important than careful handling of information and is cryptanalysis more important than burglary, bribery, and blackmail?

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