Security in Computing, Third Edition

2.11. Where the Field Is Headed

Throughout history, cryptography has attracted a select few to perform basic research. The world always needs new and better algorithms, while at the same time, governments and others are continually looking for ways to break those algorithms.

Cryptography is not a field for amateurs. One word processor manufacturer found much to its chagrin that the encryption feature it had built into its product could be broken with a ciphertext-only attack in minutes with pencil and paper. Another browser manufacturer found that its means of generating cryptographic keys was predictable. Both of these companies had employed ordinarily smart developers but had not taken the step of involving an expert in cryptography. So while ...