Security in transit

Ben Smith, Maxim Integrated
embedded.com (October 06, 2014)

There is one way to absolutely, positively guarantee that someone will receive a message intact, unadulterated, authenticated, and observed by no unauthorized party. Just copy the message to a physical medium, lock it in a sturdy briefcase, handcuff the briefcase to your own wrist, and board a plane. Best of luck at the security gate.

When you arrive at your destination, remove the briefcase from your wrist, unlock it, and present the message to your intended recipient. You can be assured that nobody else has seen it. Your recipient can be assured that the message is authentic. While you are there, find a comfortable meeting room and discuss the contents of the message, the weather, Italian restaurants—whatever you like. You have a little time before your flight home.

Use any other method for transmitting a message, and your message is at risk. Someone may intercept it and discover its contents. Or intercept your message and substitute it with one of their own. Or, intercept your message and block its transmission.

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