|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Crypto AG Data BND CIA HC-500 series →
Computer encryptor · CRYPTOMATIC
- this page is a stub
HC-590 was en encryption/decryption device for serial RS232 computer
signals up to a speed of 1200 baud,
developed in the early 1980s by Crypto AG (Hagelin)
in Zug (Switzerland).
The device is part of the
CRYPTOMATIC family
(HC-500-series).
It uses a cryptographic algorithm developed by the US
National Security Agency (NSA),
that contains an exploitable weakness (backdoor) [1].
|
The device is housed in a 3U 19" rackmount enclosure, and has a white
front panel, with a physical KESO lock at either side. The leftmost lock
is used for enabling the device and entering the Basic Key (BK),
whilst the rightmost one is used for selecting the MODE of operation.
At the left, just above the lock, is a power LED indicator. At the right are
four further indicator for plain text, encryption,
decryption and error respectively.
All connections are located at the rear.
At present, no further information about the HC-590 is available.
|
|
|
|
Although it has not yet been confirmed, it is likely that this device
was developed at
Motorola
in Phoenix (Arizona, US) and that it is based
on the same basic design as the
HC-570
and HC-550,
featuring a Motorola 6800 microprocessor [2],
in which the algorithm is implemented in software.
|
|
|
Compatible machines
Cryptomatic 500
|
|
|
The machine was developed at a time when the company – Crypto AG –
was jointly owned by the German
Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND)
and the American
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
The cryptologic
— i.e. the part that contains the cryptographic algorithm —
was developed by the US
National Security Agency (NSA),
and contains a exploitable weakness (backdoor) that could be used to
the advantage of the NSA
and the German ZfCh.
The cryptologic comes in two
flavours: readable 1 and unreadable.
Unreadable versions were secure and were available to all NATO countries,
plus Switzerland and Sweden. Readable versions were sold to all other
countries, with very few exceptions.
|
-
In this context, readable means that the cryptographic algorithms
could be broken by the NSA.
Also known as friendly. In contrast:
algorithms that are not breakable by NSA,
are called unfriendly or unreadable.
|
|
|
|
Any links shown in red are currently unavailable.
If you like the information on this website, why not make a donation?
© Crypto Museum. Created: Sunday 05 January 2020. Last changed: Sunday, 14 June 2020 - 13:18 CET.
|
 |
|
|
|
