A standard for key-escrow encryption.Charged with the responsibility for setting the rules needed to protect the security and privacy of unclassified un·clas·si·fied adj. 1. Not placed or included in a class or category: unclassified mail. 2. information in federal computer systems, the National Institute of Standards and Technology National Institute of Standards and Technology, governmental agency within the U.S. Dept. of Commerce with the mission of "working with industry to develop and apply technology, measurements, and standards" in the national interest. last month announced its proposed voluntary standard for key-escrow encryption. The standard specifies using the SKIPJACK skipjack: see herring. (cryptography) SkipJack - An encryption algorithm created by the NSA (National Security Agency) which encrypts 64-bit blocks of data with an 80-bit key. encryption algorithm and a method for creating a "Law Enforcement Access Field" (LEAF) -- a mechanism by which authorized government agencies can decipher lawfully intercepted encrypted telecommunications. Both the algorithm and the LEAF method will be incorporated in an integrated-circuit chip and used in encryption devices attached to telephones. To take advantage of the scheme's LEAF capability, government officials legally authorized to conduct a wiretap wiretap n. using an electronic device to listen in on telephone lines, which is illegal unless allowed by court order based upon a showing by law enforcement of "probable cause" to believe the communications are part of criminal activities. would need to obtain key components held by two separate escrow agents. |
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