Social aspects of telecommunications security policy

Abstract

This article examines some emerging telecommunications network security policy concerns. It begins by briefly reviewing public key cryptography. A distinction is drawn between secrecy of message content and secrecy of system usage, and a method is proposed to increase security in both areas so that not only does the content of a message remain secret but so too does that fact that a communication was made at all. The approach may also yield new revenue opportunities for public network providers. The conclusion contains observations about network security and national policy.