Secure Comm, Key infrastrucure & X-boat network

[sideranautae]

IMTU (non 3I) when a newly built ship is being readied for for delivery to it owner (a couple months before delivery) a "Scout Service" designed piece of hardware is installed inline with the transponder that has the ship's Private key embedded. At that time the Ship's ID, description and such is sent out in all directions along with it Public Key.

This enables Star Ports and other ships to verify ID of vessels and send/receive encrypted comm. The piece of hardware is sealed and all sensitive data inside is destroyed if device is opened by those unauthorized. (this protects the Private key from being "reused".)

Anyone else come up with systems that perform similar functions?

 

[atpollard]

I used to have these strange semi-alive crystals ... but that caused all sorts of OTHER problems [cough ... virus].

Seriously, for every lock, there is a key (or lockpick), so it just raises the bar for a would-be criminal.
If the protection works really well, then the super-hacker with the resources to break it can go about his nefarious activities with virtual impunity ... after all, everyone knows that the scout transponder can't be hacked, so it must be a coincidence ... this must be a different Millennium Falcon.

 

[sideranautae]

Seriously, for every lock, there is a key (or lockpick),

Sure. It is just up to the PC's to come up with a workable lock pick.

 

[Reynard]

A little confusion, is this an addition to the universal ship transponder or a separate communication encoder? I was never sure if communications in Traveller are routinely encoded though it sounds plausible. Do we routinely encode all communication today? Is this to keep all messages private if two vessels have the right key code? Does the Great Power of the Galaxy reserve the right to decode such communications so, say pirates or smugglers, can't keep secrets?

 

[sideranautae]

A little confusion, is this an addition to the universal ship transponder or a separate communication encoder?

A transponder simply sends out signals and replies when receiving signals. This is in the com loop between the antenna and the transponder.

Not sure how procedures of a pre-stellar society bears on an interstellar one...

 

[Reynard]

I'm just trying to understand what the device purpose is.

Procedures and protocol for electronic communication should have similarities whether today or 5000 years even if the technologies differ. I'm sure military transmissions are regularly encrypted today and I thought I remember an issue sometime back concerning the government being allowed to have access to encrypted public transmissions.

A transponder already has the ship's unique ID included. That's what confuses me as this seem redundant for purpose and I wondered if it was a communication encoder as you describe secondarily. I'm not sure I ever heard if all communications are regularly encrypted in Traveller so I ask for clarification.

 

[sideranautae]

I'm just trying to understand what the device purpose is.

First, do you understand public/private key encryption as far as how it is currently used? How it can authenticate, encrypt, etc.?

Here's a quick overview if you aren't familiar. https://medium.com/how-to-use-the-internet/explaining-public-key-cryptography-to-non-geeks-f0994b3c2d5

 

[Reynard]

I thought that was what the encryption signified. Not sure why one needs it for public transmissions. This seems It would be part of each ship's transponder ID package.

You did mention Express boats so we assume part of the boat's data is spreading the ID code of every registered ship throughout the xboat system. How would the IDs propagate outside planets on the established routes of A and B starports? Seems worlds outside the routes would be blind to it.

You answered my other question that the government who issues the public key would have access to all encrypted messages.

 

[sideranautae]

I thought that was what the encryption signified. Not sure why one needs it for public transmissions.

Once you get familiar with the ways it can be used you'll see uses for it. (hint: everyone has access to everyone's Public key and can use it to verify ID)

You did mention Express boats so we assume part of the boat's data is spreading the ID code of every registered ship throughout the xboat system. How would the IDs propagate outside planets on the established routes of A and B starports? Seems worlds outside the routes would be blind to it.

IMTU (and in the OTU for that matter) ALL Imperial worlds get regular comm using Type S ships and the like.