Cipher device
A cipher device (or cipher machine, cipher box, crypto box) is a physical cryptographic device used to encrypt and decrypt messages between plaintext (unencrypted) and ciphertext (encrypted or secret) forms. The ciphertext is suitable for transmission over a channel, such as radio, that might be observed by an adversary the communicating parties wish to conceal the plaintext from.
Mechanical[disambiguation needed] and electromechanical devices have been used as cipher devices, but modern implementations are digital[disambiguation needed] devices.
Modern devices
[edit]In order to provide its main functionalities (encryption and decryption), a modern cipher device relies on subfunctionalities such as random number generation, key establishment, digital signature generation and verification, and message authentication, each of which is implemented by a cryptographic module, which is implemented as hardware, software, and/or firmware.[1]
Modern cipher devices are a part of a cryptographic service, which, as a whole, provides confidentiality, integrity, source authentication, entity authentication, non-repudiation support, access control, and availability.[2] Most cryptographic services are owned and operated by nation-states.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Cryptographic component". NIST Computer Security Resource Center.
- ^ "Cryptographic service". NIST Computer Security Resource Center.