Encryption and evolving technologies: Tools of organized crime and terrorismU.S. Working Group on Organized Crime, National Strategy Information Center, Washington, D.C., July, 1997

Encryption is essential in today’s information and network age. Encryption policy must facilitate and encourage the use of encryption so that businesses can protect their corporate assets from economic espionage by foreign governments and competitors, so that law enforcement agencies can counter the surveillance activities of organized crime, and so that all organizations and individuals can safeguard sensitive information from criminals and intruders. At the same time, because encryption can be exploited by criminals and terrorists, its completely unfettered proliferation may not be in our national interest. The Clinton administration and National Research Council reached a similar conclusion, although they recommended different approaches.