WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 04: Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines and Defense Intelligence . [+] Agency Director Lt. Gen. Scott Berrier testify during a hearing with the Senate Armed Services Committee on May 04, 2023 in Washington, DC.
A key need for the intelligence community to prioritize the advancement and adoption of encryption technologies to bolster national security arises from the escalating use of digital repression strategies by authoritarian regimes. China, for example, leads the world in applying surveillance and censorship to monitor its population, repress dissent, and strengthen its surveillance and security apparatus. The rise of digital authoritarianism and the increasing sophistication of surveillance technologies pose substantial threats to democratic values and individual privacy.
In addition to combating digital repression, addressing rapid technological advancements is another vital aspect of national security interests. Adversarial foreign intelligence services are embracing cutting-edge technologies such as generative artificial intelligence, cyber tools, unmanned systems, and advanced technical surveillance equipment, thereby enhancing their capabilities and challenging U.S. defenses. Alarmingly, the thriving commercial spyware industry, currently valued at approximately $12 billion, is experiencing rapid expansion, with authoritarian governments increasingly weaponizing spyware.
Given these challenges, the U.S. intelligence community should emphasize the development and implementation of encryption technologies, such as end-to-end encryption, to protect individual privacy and preserve democratic values. End-to-end encryption has already been recognized as a vital tool for safeguarding human rights by the United Nations, and numerous UN resolutions have highlighted encryption’s importance in this regard.
As an illustration of encryption’s importance, the U.S. government recommended its adoption for secure remote work during the Covid-19 pandemic. The National Security Agency issued guidance, vigorously endorsing the use of end-to-end encryption for government employees and military personnel, highlighting the role of encryption in ensuring secure communications.
By concentrating on encryption technologies, intelligence communities can counter the spread of repressive technologies and protect individuals from the invasive surveillance tactics employed by authoritarian governments. This is particularly important in the context of financial privacy, as the development and use of privacy-preserving technologies can help individuals safeguard their financial transactions and limit third-party access to their data.
Encryption technologies: securing payments, communications, and data for the intelligence community.
MORE FROM FORBES ADVISORThere are many use cases for encryption technologies within the intelligence community. One powerful use case is facilitating secure payments to assets or “spies.” By utilizing encrypted digital cash, the identity of both the intelligence agency and the asset can be effectively protected, ensuring the confidentiality of sensitive operations. This secure method of payment is critical in maintaining the anonymity of those involved, thus reducing the risk of exposure and potential harm to the asset or the agency’s operations.
And, encryption technologies provide a powerful tool in creating secure communication channels. By implementing strong encryption, sensitive information exchange between agents, analysts, and decision-makers can be protected from interception by adversaries. This ensures that vital intelligence and operational details remain confidential, preserving the security of ongoing missions and strategic planning.
In addition to securing communication channels, encryption technologies are essential for protecting the vast amounts of sensitive data collected and stored by intelligence agencies. Classified information on national security threats, details of covert operations, and other critical data can be safeguarded using advanced encryption techniques. This protection is vital in preventing unauthorized access or cyberattacks that could compromise national security interests.
Encryption technologies also play a crucial role in anonymizing the online activities of agents and analysts when conducting investigations or infiltrating digital platforms used by adversaries. Tools such as virtual private networks, Tor networks, or other anonymizing technologies can be utilized to encrypt and obfuscate users’ digital footprints, making it difficult for adversaries to track or identify them.
Safeguarding supply chain security is another essential use case for encryption technologies. By employing encryption to secure communication and data transfer between suppliers, manufacturers, and intelligence agencies, the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive components, materials, and equipment utilized by the intelligence community can be protected from tampering or interception.
Enhancing biometric security is yet another application of encryption technologies in the intelligence community. Agencies often use biometric data, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or voice patterns, for identification and access control purposes. By employing encryption techniques, they can protect this sensitive biometric data, preventing unauthorized access, identity theft, or other security breaches that could compromise personnel or operations.
Special agents prioritizing encryption to counter cyber threats and safeguard national security.
As part of these efforts, the intelligence community should prioritize research and development in encryption technologies to stay ahead of adversaries in the constantly evolving cyber landscape. This includes investing in cutting-edge encryption methods, training personnel in encryption best practices, and sharing relevant expertise with democratic partners around the world. These efforts demand immediate attention.
In light of the unclassified Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community from February 6, 2023, encryption technologies are essential for safeguarding national security interests in a world dominated by strategic challenges, such as competition between great powers, rising regional powers, and evolving non-state actors. The threat assessment highlights the increasing influence of authoritarian governments that seek to reshape global norms and challenge democratic values. By prioritizing the development and implementation of encryption technologies, the U.S. intelligence community can better protect national security interests and maintain an advantage in the face of these strategic challenges, while also promoting democratic principles and individual privacy.
And, in a recent Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on May 4, 2023, Lt. Gen. Scott Berrier, Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, in his annual threat testimony, emphasized the importance of adapting to the complex threat landscape posed by strategic competition with countries like China. Director Berrier warned, “China is our pacing challenge and DIA’s Top Priority” and highlighted the ongoing transformation of DIA to better address these challenges. This testimony underscores the urgent need for the intelligence community to prioritize the development and implementation of encryption technologies to safeguard national security interests and counter the growing threats of digital authoritarianism in the face of such strategic competition.
NSO Group's Pegasus spyware: a growing threat to digital privacy, security, and human rights
AFP via Getty Images
A revealing instance of commercial spyware misuse was reported on July 19, 2021, when a consortium of international news outlets, including The Guardian and The Washington Post, disclosed findings from an investigation into NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware. As described in MIT Technology Review, tens of thousands of phone numbers were found to be targeted by Pegasus, with journalists and activists from numerous countries being surveilled, despite NSO Group’s claims that their spyware is designed to target criminals and terrorists. In a recent report published by Citizen Lab on April 18, 2023, the evolving attack techniques of NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware were highlighted as a significant concern for digital privacy and security. Pegasus has become increasingly sophisticated, using zero-click exploits and multiple attack surfaces to compromise devices, making it a considerable threat to individuals and organizations. As the Citizen Lab report states, “NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware remains a threat, and their attack techniques continue to evolve.”
And, in a lawsuit filed on November 30, 2022, in the US District Court, Northern District of California, the dangerous capabilities of Pegasus spyware were extensively detailed by plaintiffs consisting of the journalists and staff of El Faro, a prominent Central American digital newspaper known for their fearless investigative journalism. According to the complaint, Pegasus is notorious for enabling operators to remotely and covertly control a target’s smartphone and extract data without the user’s knowledge or consent. The lawsuit highlights the immense threat that Pegasus poses to press freedom and human rights, as it has been sold to authoritarian governments and used to target journalists, activists, and political opponents globally. This case underscores the urgent need for increased vigilance and protective measures to defend against the growing threat of advanced surveillance technology and the emergence of new forms of commercial spyware.
Encryption technologies fortifying national security and safeguarding democratic values.
Ultimately, encryption technologies offer a strong and effective shield against the escalating risks of digital repression, safeguarding democratic principles and personal privacy. As digital authoritarianism intensifies and surveillance technologies become more advanced, embracing, cultivating, and deploying encryption technologies will bolster national security efforts. This will contribute to a safer, more democratic future for all.
Disclosure: I am an employee of Electric Coin Co., a company dedicated to advancing shielded transaction technology in the crypto industry, and a long-term holder of ZEC tokens. The views and opinions expressed in this article are my own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Electric Coin Co. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or financial advice.