Companies are asked to create vulnerabilities in their encryption.
(Mirror Daily, United States) – Tragedies force demands for change, and debates on encryption spark after Paris attacks that were suggested to have been planned through the latest high-tech devices. Protection and privacy are two basic needs, but it’s a difficult situation when those same rights are easily offered to those with bad intentions.
On November 13th, the attacks on France’s capital city, Paris, left 129 people dead, along with hundreds more wounded. The terrorist organization, ISIS, claimed responsibility and boasted that their efforts will not stop from instilling fear. Investigations after the fact have suggested that perhaps the attacks could’ve been prevented if Paris authorities had access.
Certain government officials have started the Great Encryption debate back up again. Their claims are that perhaps if security is lowered on devices, then authorities will be able to know of these potential tragedies before they happens. Companies such as Google and Apple were targeted for their highly encrypted operating systems.
Many tech companies have been asked to hand over the keys to their OS, which will help government officials track down terrorists ahead of their attacks. The problem is that it cannot be a selective process. If one user is vulnerable, be it good or bad, all of them are. This will viciously damage all tech companies if they start telling governments how to hack into their systems.
Or, at least, even if they were to provide “official backdoors”.
The Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC), which speaks for all those in the high-tech industry, has stated that encryption is needed. Even more, the terrorists attacks are just one of few examples why. According to CEO of ITIC, Dean Garfield, these very secure encryption is what shields all of us from getting our bank accounts emptied, protecting our cars, airplanes, as well as providing security and safety.
Weakening their encryptions to make room for government officials to slip through will just open the worm hole for other hackers. Essentially, if they open the doors for the “good guys”, then the “bad guys” could also exploit them. It could serious distress around the world, both physical and financial. Societies and economies alike could be affected.
ITIC has stated that they deeply appreciate law enforcement and other authorities for protecting us, but weakening their encryption is not a favorable option. Apple has been vocal against government surveillance. In order to provide government officials access, they would have to essentially rebuild iOS from scratch.
WhatsApp, the messenger that has been associated with terrorists plans, also boasts virtually unbreakable encryption.
It’s a tool used against criminals, even though they might profit from it as well. There has also been no proof that ISIS did use those devices, or that poorer encryption could have prevented the tragedy that saw to over one hundred lives lost.
Image source: thales-esecurity.com