From: "Peter Trei" <trei@process.com>
Date: Sat, 30 Dec 1995 07:23:11 +0800
To: cypherpunks@toad.com
Subject: Re: HRB Systems Data Storage Encryptor
Message-ID: <9512291814.AA29382@toad.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain



James A. Donald wrote:
> At 09:45 AM 12/26/95 +0100, Anonymous wrote:
> >Check out http://www.hrb.com/encryption/ssp.html, your
> >exclusive source of the Ultron Crypto-Engine (tm)
> 
> The web page proudly announces:
>   "is the only NSA-approved Type I data encryptor available today."
> 
> There are probably some people ignorant enough to regard that as
> a recommendation.
>James A. Donald

     What's the problem? If you're a contractor or agency looking to store
classified data, the NSA approval is essential. There's no pretence in
the ad that the NSA can't read it. It says:

"NSA provides necessary keying material for SSP3110 operation."

and 

"It is available to U.S. Government agencies, military organizations, 
 and defense contractors."

This is not a snake oil product ala "Power One Time Pad" (sic). It's
a real system, approved for use with classified data. I strongly doubt
that there are any known holes (with the NSA supplying the key material,
why should there be?)

Speaking for myself,
	Peter Trei
	trei@process.com