One man’s “magic” is another man’s engineering. Robert A. Heinlein
“Thank you I will send my comments by end of day tomorrow.” I respond. A single click and in an instant my message mutates into an inscrutable string of characters of its own. Encryption. Magic at my fingertips. An indescribably powerful technology, packaged in an intricate collection of code.
I couldn’t begin to fathom the complexity of today’s encryption process that converts a simple message into its ciphertext interpretation. I couldn’t begin to explain the mathematics which make sense of it all. But then again I don’t understand how tiny cells floating in the air carry my voice across continents either but that doesn’t prevent me from using a cell phone.
During my time working in the industry I have seen many eyes glaze over at the mention of encryption or cryptography, as though mid sentence I suddenly began speaking an alien language, words one might expect to come upon in a sci-fi thriller but ostensibly inapplicable to our every day. With increased media coverage of cyber crime, today more than ever the word encryption is thrown around like a dirty tissue. Over time, yet seemingly overnight, we’re becoming reacquainted with this ancient technology. Yet I cannot help but wonder if the time lost between then and now has impacted our enthusiasm towards it…?
….read the complete story ~ http://issuu.com/onlinetherapyinstitute/docs/tiltiss9?mode=window&pageNumber=40
This article first appeared in the January 2012 issue of TILT Magazine ~ Therapeutic Innovations in Light of Technology.
Kasia Zukowska is based in Vancouver, BC and has over 12 years of experience working with communications technology and information security in a variety of capacities, most notably as liaison to customers ranging from SMB (small to medium sized businesses) to Fortune 500 companies. A co-founder of eCrypt Technologies, and a proponent of privacy, she believes strongly that all people, regardless of their economic status, place in society, or aptitude with technology need to be empowered – through the provision of knowledge and tools – to protect this most vulnerable and fundamental human right.
