[3404] in cryptography@c2.net mail archive
Canadian Cryptography Policy
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (James Glave)
Thu Oct 1 12:34:23 1998
Date: Thu, 01 Oct 1998 08:58:14 -0700
To: cryptography@c2.net
From: James Glave <james@wired.com>
http://info.ic.gc.ca/cmb/welcomeic.nsf/558d636590992942852564880052155b/8525
6613004a2e1785256690004c70fb?OpenDocument
**Full story to follow shortly on Wired News, plus exclusive interview with
Manley.**
Minister Manley Outlines Canadian Cryptography Policy=20
OTTAWA, October 1, 1998 -- John Manley, Minister of Industry, today
announced the elements of Canada's Cryptography Policy. Cryptography is a
set of technologies used to provide security for electronic transmissions
and of information stored on computer systems and networks such as the
Internet. This policy is an essential component of the Canadian Electronic
Commerce Strategy, designed to make Canada a world leader in the use of
electronic commerce by the year 2000. The policy allows Canadians to
develop, import and use whatever cryptography products they wish and does
not impose mandatory key recovery requirements or a licensing regime.=20
"This policy is good for the Canadian economy," said Minister Manley. "It
supports the increased use of electronic commerce products and services in
Canada, as well as the export of Canadian information technologies to other
countries." In announcing this Cryptography Policy for Canada, the
Government believes that a balanced approach has been achieved that
encourages the growth of electronic commerce while maintaining the
capability of law enforcement and national security agencies to ensure
public safety.
"Law enforcement agencies recognize the benefits of cryptography in
protecting sensitive information," noted Solicitor General Andy Scott.
"However, cryptography can also be used to shield criminal activities. This
policy highlights the development of a framework to help law enforcement
agencies deal with the challenges posed by advanced communications and
information technologies, including cryptography."=20
Cryptography allows users to authenticate credit card numbers,
electronically signed documents, e-mail or other information stored in
computers or transmitted over networks such as the Internet. It protects
sensitive information such as communications, bank accounts, medical
records and intellectual property. Cryptography is also an important tool
in crime prevention, protecting against economic espionage and safeguarding
the computer systems which support Canada's vital communications,
transportation and other critical infrastructures.=20
The Canadian Electronic Commerce Strategy is an element of the Government
of Canada's Connecting Canadians Agenda which aims to make Canada the most
connected nation in the world by the year 2000. A summary of Canada's
Cryptography Policy is attached to this press release.
For further information, please contact: Jennifer Sloan Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Industry (613) 995-9001 Helen McDonald Director
General, Policy Development Electronic Commerce Task Force (613) 990-4732=20
SUMMARY OF CANADA'S CRYPTOGRAPHY POLICY BACKGROUNDER
The Government is implementing a cryptography policy that:
=B7 encourages the growth of electronic commerce;=20
=B7 allows Canadian producers to export their products globally within the
framework of international arrangements; and=20
=B7 contains measures to maintain the capability of law enforcement agencies
to ensure public safety.=20
Support for Electronic Commerce Canadians are free to develop, import and
use whatever cryptography products they wish.=20
The Government will not implement mandatory key recovery requirements or
licensing regimes.=20
The Government encourages industry to establish responsible practices, such
as key recovery techniques for stored data.=20
The Government will act as a model user of cryptography through the
practices of the Government of Canada Public Key Infrastructure (GOC PKI).=
=20
The Government encourages and supports industry-led accreditation of
private sector certification authorities.=20
Export / International Agreements Canada will continue to implement
cryptography export controls in keeping with the framework of the
international Wassenaar Arrangement.=20
Canada will take into consideration the export practices of other countries
and the availability of comparable products when rendering export permit
decisions.=20
The export permit application process will be made more transparent and
procedures will be streamlined to ensure the least regulatory intervention
necessary.
Public Safety The Government proposes amendments to the Criminal Code and
other statutes as necessary to:
=B7 criminalize the wrongful disclosure of keys;=20
=B7 deter the use of encryption in the commission of a crime;=20
=B7 deter the use of cryptography to conceal evidence;=20
=B7 apply existing interception, search and seizure and assistance procedure=
s
to cryptographic situations and circumstances.=20
Release Number: 8099-e
James Glave, News Editor, Wired News, http://www.wired.com (415) 276-8430
