The Business of Secrets Review: Unveiling Corporate Espionage & Intrigue

A‍ Look​ Back at the ⁣Wild West of Encryption: A Review​ of “The Business​ of Secrets”

Bruce Schneier’s review of a⁣ recent book detailing the history of Datotek, a Cold War-era encryption company, offers a captivating glimpse into a world of shadowy dealings, technological naiveté, and the surprisingly precarious foundations of secure interaction. ⁤It’s a story that ⁤highlights just how much has changed in the field of cryptography, and how little we truly knew back then.

The ⁢book recounts ​the ​experiences of John​ Kinch, Datotek’s founder, and ⁤reveals a startling ⁤lack of awareness regarding the competitive landscape. Kinch was reportedly unaware that⁤ his largest rival,​ Crypto AG, was secretly controlled by the ‌CIA and West​ German ⁣intelligence. Imagine the advantage knowing ⁤that would have provided! But, as the review emphasizes, ‌this information was simply unavailable at the time.

A ⁣World of Uncertainty

The narrative is filled with anecdotes ⁢that underscore the era’s uncertainty. Countries would request Datotek’s technology for “evaluation,” then‍ vanish without a word. Was the encryption broken? Were they simply ​studying the ‍competition? kinch and his team were left in the dark.

This lack of transparency⁤ extended to the ​security⁣ of Datotek’s own ‌systems. The core encryption relied on relatively ⁤simple linear shift registers – a setup ‍the National Security Agency (NSA) likely⁣ used as a training exercise.⁢ Yet, Datotek operated ⁢under the assumption of security through obscurity.

Trust,But Verify (Barely)

Kinch’s approach to demonstrating security feels almost comical by today’s standards. He’d simply connect two encryptors and allow people to ⁢listen to the scrambled voice‍ transmission. One especially bizarre incident involved an Argentine⁤ sergeant with a “hearing defect” who‌ could understand the encrypted​ audio. Datotek addressed the issue, but⁣ only offered ​the fix to Argentina, as no other customers reported problems. This highlights⁣ a key point: ‍a profound⁢ lack⁤ of comprehensive testing and‍ awareness.

Despite these⁣ vulnerabilities,Kinch believed his products were a notable enhancement over the electromechanical rotor ‍machines previously in ‌use. And, given that his main competitor was a CIA-backed operation, he was likely correct. Though, the review points out that we still lack‍ a ⁢complete ‍understanding of the cryptanalytic capabilities of other nations during that period.

A Unique Ancient Artifact

The book, according to Schneier, feels like a “you⁢ had to be there” account. It’s a product of its ‍time, and somewhat tone-deaf in its lack of acknowledgement regarding ⁤the human rights records of some of Datotek’s clients. However, it remains a valuable historical document.

It offers​ a‌ rare look​ at ‌the world before commercial cryptography became commonplace, before academic​ research gained acceptance for classified data, and before the broader public understood‍ the ⁢underlying mathematics of secure communication.

Key Takeaways:

* ‍ Secrecy isn’t security: ‍Relying on the⁢ secrecy of algorithms is a flawed approach.
*⁢ Context matters: The‌ Cold War environment shaped the advancement and⁣ deployment of encryption technology.
* We’ve come a long way: Modern cryptography ​is far‍ more sophisticated and rigorously tested than the systems ‌of the 1970s.
* ⁣ Ethical⁢ considerations‍ are crucial: The potential for misuse‌ of encryption ⁢technology must be acknowledged.

This review serves as a​ reminder of the evolution of cryptography ‍and the importance of continuous improvement in the face of ever-evolving threats. It’s a story of ingenuity, uncertainty, and the⁢ often-hidden forces that shape the world of secure communication.

Originally published on​ AFIO: https://www.afio.com/book-reviews/

Tags: business of security, cryptography, encryption, history of cryptography.

Posted on November 13, 2025⁣ at 7:09 AM‍ • 0 Comments