I agree with ‘anonymous’: in a war – or other conflict – ANY knowledge of the adversary’s intent, whether by cryptology or other means (i.e. humint/spies, etc.) is, or should be, welcomed as another means to defeat the adversary.
Consider the alternative. Cryptology was critical to winning the 1942-45 Battle of the Atlantic. Had the U-boats cut England and Russia off the war’s outcome might have been very different. Cryptology was the essential advantage at the Battle of Midway, which turned the tide against the Japanese in 1942. It also was a fundamental advantage in interdicting Japanese convoys that led to our victories in the Pacific. It was also critical during the Cuban Missile Crisis. As a former senior intel advisor to the Secretary of Defense I know cryptology was one of our premier defense technologies during the Cold War. “Unfair?” Nonsense!
I agree with all you professionals. I’m in complete disagreement with the title of this missive. I have nothing against the government using technology on the electronic communications of we citizens. Aside from the speed limit, I’ve done my best to always obey the law. I’ve tried hard to drive within the speed limit for the past ten years. Should the United States Government wish to monitor my communications, they have my permission to do so. Andy McKane, Maunaloa, Molokai, Hawaii.
Haha. Yikes. This comment, I think, is out of touch with the spirit of the other comments and the use of cryptology, or any other means, to gain an advantage over a FOREIGN ADVERSARY.
Your enthusiasm seems fun, but no one in the right mind will agree that it’s okay for the USG to spy on its citizens, in any way. This, by the way, is a clear violation of the Fourth Amendment.
I am the 1st Anonymous to reply, (I disagree with that statement). I can say yes, there is more than one Anonymous. But I must clarify that I was disagreeing with calling the use of Cryptology an ‘unfair’ advantage against our adversaries in the diplomatic and military arenas.
Spying on our own citizens IS not only unfair but wrong!
There is no doubt in my “military mind” that ALL major governments and militaries employ Cryptology and other forms of intelligence gathering and would use it against us. Hopefully we have the advantage in that field but it’s certainly not unfair.
Why would it be an unfair advantage? It is simply another tool to be used, hopefully effectively. It doesn’t harm individuals or even the planet. It is as innocuous as invisible ink.
Station HYPO 
24 April 2022 at 13:54
I disagree with that statement.
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24 April 2022 at 15:57
I agree with ‘anonymous’: in a war – or other conflict – ANY knowledge of the adversary’s intent, whether by cryptology or other means (i.e. humint/spies, etc.) is, or should be, welcomed as another means to defeat the adversary.
Jim King
CTOC Ret.
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24 April 2022 at 17:59
Careful, gents. If you don’t agree with what’s here, you may have your comment removed. It’s happened to me.
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25 April 2022 at 03:41
Consider the alternative. Cryptology was critical to winning the 1942-45 Battle of the Atlantic. Had the U-boats cut England and Russia off the war’s outcome might have been very different. Cryptology was the essential advantage at the Battle of Midway, which turned the tide against the Japanese in 1942. It also was a fundamental advantage in interdicting Japanese convoys that led to our victories in the Pacific. It was also critical during the Cuban Missile Crisis. As a former senior intel advisor to the Secretary of Defense I know cryptology was one of our premier defense technologies during the Cold War. “Unfair?” Nonsense!
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25 April 2022 at 04:18
I agree with all you professionals. I’m in complete disagreement with the title of this missive. I have nothing against the government using technology on the electronic communications of we citizens. Aside from the speed limit, I’ve done my best to always obey the law. I’ve tried hard to drive within the speed limit for the past ten years. Should the United States Government wish to monitor my communications, they have my permission to do so. Andy McKane, Maunaloa, Molokai, Hawaii.
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25 April 2022 at 12:21
Haha. Yikes. This comment, I think, is out of touch with the spirit of the other comments and the use of cryptology, or any other means, to gain an advantage over a FOREIGN ADVERSARY.
Your enthusiasm seems fun, but no one in the right mind will agree that it’s okay for the USG to spy on its citizens, in any way. This, by the way, is a clear violation of the Fourth Amendment.
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25 April 2022 at 14:04
I can only wonder whether Anonymous is one individual, or are there many?
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25 April 2022 at 15:19
I am the 1st Anonymous to reply, (I disagree with that statement). I can say yes, there is more than one Anonymous. But I must clarify that I was disagreeing with calling the use of Cryptology an ‘unfair’ advantage against our adversaries in the diplomatic and military arenas.
Spying on our own citizens IS not only unfair but wrong!
There is no doubt in my “military mind” that ALL major governments and militaries employ Cryptology and other forms of intelligence gathering and would use it against us. Hopefully we have the advantage in that field but it’s certainly not unfair.
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30 April 2022 at 13:06
Why would it be an unfair advantage? It is simply another tool to be used, hopefully effectively. It doesn’t harm individuals or even the planet. It is as innocuous as invisible ink.
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30 April 2022 at 19:40
Desirable national security outcomes for the United States demand an unfair advantage. Cryptology delivers this capability.
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