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NSA, NIST, and post-quantum crypto: my second lawsuit against the US government

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Re: NSA, NIST, and post-quantum crypto: my second lawsuit against the US government

#12

Here's an interesting question. Even if post-quantum cryptography is securely implemented, doesn't the advent of neurotechnology (BCIs, etc.) make that method of security obsolete? With read and write capability to the brain, assuming this comes to fruition at some point, encryption as we know it won't work anymore. But I don't know, maybe this isn't something we have to worry about just quite yet.

The encryption is fine, that's just a way to avoid it. Much like how tire-iron attacks don't break passwords so much as bypass them.

Re: NSA, NIST, and post-quantum crypto: my second lawsuit against the US government

#13

Here's an interesting question. Even if post-quantum cryptography is securely implemented, doesn't the advent of neurotechnology (BCIs, etc.) make that method of security obsolete? With read and write capability to the brain, assuming this comes to fruition at some point, encryption as we know it won't work anymore. But I don't know, maybe this isn't something we have to worry about just quite yet.

[deleted]

Re: NSA, NIST, and post-quantum crypto: my second lawsuit against the US government

#14

Seems like a baaad idea lol.

Yeah, terrible idea, except this is Daniel Bernstein, who already had an equally terrible idea years ago, and won. That victory was hugely important, it pretty much enabled much of what we use today (to be developed, exported, used without restrictions, etc etc etc)

Re: NSA, NIST, and post-quantum crypto: my second lawsuit against the US government

#15

Here's an interesting question. Even if post-quantum cryptography is securely implemented, doesn't the advent of neurotechnology (BCIs, etc.) make that method of security obsolete? With read and write capability to the brain, assuming this comes to fruition at some point, encryption as we know it won't work anymore. But I don't know, maybe this isn't something we have to worry about just quite yet.

Yeah I’ve even had very personal dreams where my Linux root password was spoken in the dream. I’m glad I don’t talk in my sleep. There’s also truth serums that can be weaponized in war scenarios to extract secrets from the enemy without resorting to torture.

Re: NSA, NIST, and post-quantum crypto: my second lawsuit against the US government

#17

Here's an interesting question. Even if post-quantum cryptography is securely implemented, doesn't the advent of neurotechnology (BCIs, etc.) make that method of security obsolete? With read and write capability to the brain, assuming this comes to fruition at some point, encryption as we know it won't work anymore. But I don't know, maybe this isn't something we have to worry about just quite yet.

Cryptographic secrets stored in human brains are already vulnerable to an attack mechanism that requires $5 worth of interface hardware that can be procured and operated with very little training. Physical security controls do a decent job of preventing malicious actors from connecting said hardware to vulnerable brains. I assume the same would be true with the invention of BCIs more sophisticated than a crescent wrench.

Re: NSA, NIST, and post-quantum crypto: my second lawsuit against the US government

#19
An interesting thing that is happening on Bitcoin mailing list is that although it would be quite easy to add Lamport signatures as an extra safety feature for high value transactions, as they would be quite expensive and easy to misuse (they can be used only once, which is a problem if money is sent to the same address twice), the current concensus between developers is to ,,just wait for NSA/NIST to be ready with the algorithm''. I haven't seen any discussion on the possibility of never being ready on purpose because of a sabotage.

Re: NSA, NIST, and post-quantum crypto: my second lawsuit against the US government

#20
post #10

The history in this blog post is excellently researched on the topic of NSA and NIST cryptographic sabotage. It presents some hard won truths that many are uncomfortable to discuss, let alone to actively resist. The author of the blog post is also well known for designing and releasing many cryptographic systems as free software. There is a good chance that your TLS connections are secured by some of these designs. O…

Given his track record, and the actual meat of this suit, I think he has a good chance. - He is an expert in the domain - He made a lawful request - He believes he's experiencing an obstruction of his rights I don't see anything egregious here. Being critical of your government is a protected right for USA. Everyone gets a moment to state their case if they'd like to make an accusation. Suing sounds offensive, but th…

I'd add

* and it's been 20 yrs since the 9/11 attacks which predicated a lot of the more recent dragnets

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