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SSL co-creator offers thoughts on encryption and its future role in computer security
One of the co-authors of the SSL 3.0 protocol recently shared his views on the development of encryption standards and where the future of cryptography is headed.
In a video interview with eSecurity Planet, Paul Kocher offered his opinions on encryption's importance, calling it "foundational technology" and comparing its function to what bricks are for physical building structures.
"Any technology today needs to use cryptographic technology to achieve security objectives because you can't trust the networks and elements of the hardware and software," said Kocher.
Whether it be computer code or actual buildings, identifying the smallest vulnerability is a big challenge when trying to keep an entire structure secure.
"There are 100 million lines of code in some [software] architectures," said Kocher, "and a line of buggy code can compromise the whole system."
As far as encryption's future is concerned, Kocher has focused more on hardware cores that can perform specific security operations independent of the software, and hopes to see the development of special cryptographic protocols for applications like payment transactions that could be used in the payment card industry and among online merchants. He stated that he would also like to see the SSL model streamlined between clients and the many Certificate Authorities (CAs) out there today.
SSL remains one of the most popular and safest security protocols available, which Kocher attributes in large part to its simplicity and efficacy.
"You can sit down, read [the SSL protocol] in an afternoon and so long as you understand the crypto basics you'll understand what it does, so it doesn't suffer from excess complexity."
While no solution is foolproof, keeping networks and software applications equipped with the latest encryption tools remains the best way to keep information safe. Stop by Thawte today and get the latest in SSL certificates.
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