News
Next generation cryptography now approved for roll out by UK Government
February 2014 by Marc Jacob
Crypto experts from Airbus Defence and Space have produced what is thought to be the first portable encryption device that is so fast users cannot tell their data is being encrypted.
The UK government has this week approved the latest version of ectocryp – known as ectocrypt yellow. This next generation encryption technology is so portable that it can sit comfortably on a computer desktop and is so fast that users cannot even tell their data is being encrypted – and at a level of security tested and certified by the UK Authority CESG for Top Secret Government data.
Michael Stevens, Senior VP Airbus Defence & Space explained that while criminals might still be able to steal the data, the technology contains highly secure cryptography implemented to the highest standards so as to resist the most determined attacks.
“We are seeing that cyber attacks and data theft are becoming more commonplace and we predict that these attacks won’t abate in 2014 but on the contrary they are set to increase considerably,” explained Mr Stevens.
“Theft of intellectual property and compromise of sensitive information can prove disastrous to governments, businesses and individuals.
“Our latest cutting edge encryption technology is playing a vital role in protecting organisations from the loss of sensitive data and information – information is not hacker proof but, without the key, is hacker illegible.”
World leading UK crypto experts and scientists have been working at Airbus Defence and Space UK headquarters in Newport to produce the next generation encryption devices. The Airbus DS capability in the field of encryption marks the organisation as a world leader, supplying the family of Ectocryp into the USA DOD, Middle East and across Europe.
This latest technology is so advanced that it is thought to be amongst the first in the world at this standard (previous versions are already used by the UK and US governments who consider it the ‘gold standard’ in encryption technology). Airbus Defence and Space also provide cybersecurity services on the Parliamentary networks to protect MPs from the threat of cyber crime.
This latest version provides top level encryption, is the size of a hard back book and can sit on a standard desk top and protect sensitive information without any latency in data transfer. An Airbus Defence and Space spokesperson commented “We are calling this ‘invisible encryption’ – you can’t see it working, the box can disappear under your papers, and your data is invisible to hackers!”
One of the key benefits of more widespread use of encryption is that it could provide a vital solution to concern about the threat of mass surveillance, which is cited as compromising individual’s privacy and civil liberties. Pervasive encryption can make mass surveillance — which will virtually always involve the communications of innocent parties — so costly and time consuming as to significantly limit its utility and practicability, and it is mass surveillance which the most potential for abuses.
Ectocryp Yellow device is for use by UK Government departments only, however the technology would be available for any commercial organisation.
