SPA/AEA CRYPTOGRAPHY POLICY WORKSHOP SPURS POLICY DEBATE

August 17, 1995 (Washington, DC) --At a cryptography policy workshop
co-sponsored today by the Software Publishers Association and the American
Electronics Association, representatives from industry and government
gained insight to the future of national cryptography policy.

Morning presentations by industry offered detailed looks at the direction
of technologies designed to protect the privacy and security of electronic
communications and information. Presenters included Trusted Information
Systems, Inc., National Semiconductor, Bankers Trust, Novell, and Hewlett
Packard.

A briefing by Ray Kammer of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology and Michael Nelson of the Office of Science and Technology
Policy offered an update of recent government activity related to key
escrow technologies, exportability, federal standards and criteria for
cryptography, and private key escrow agents.Subject to certain criteria,
the government proposes to allow export of key escrow products with a
64-bit encryption key.

"This is stronger encryption than the government has allowed up until now,"
said Greg Garcia, Senior Manager for International Trade Affairs at AEA.
"It illustrates the government's apparent commitment to maintaining U.S.
competitiveness in encryption technology."

The event was designed to promote industry-government dialogue and foster
progress on cryptography policy. The Clinton Administration had been
relatively silent in response to industry requests for clarification of
principles set out in a letter from Vice President Al Gore to then-Rep.
Maria Cantwell in July of 1994.The government briefing provided a snapshot
of current thinking and trends in policy-making.

"This conference rejuvenated the discussion about cryptography policy
solutions," said SPA Government Affairs Manager Douglas Miller. "We have
been looking for a process by which we can work through these problems,
and that process seems to be taking shape."

"We've been looking for ways to move the ball forward," said SPA President
Ken Wasch. "I think the government has had an opportunity to learn more
about industry's concerns today."

The American Electronics Association is the largest high technology trade
association in the country, representing over 3,000 U.S.-based technology
firms. Membership spans from semiconductor and software companies to
computer systems and telecommunications companies. For more than 50 years,
AEA has been the accepted voice of the electronics and information
technology industry.

The Software Publishers Association is the principal trade association for
the personal computer software industry. Since 1984, it has grown to over
1170 members, representing the leading publishers in the business,
consumer, and education software markets. Press releases available through
the SPA's World Wide Web home page (http://www.spa.org), and through
CompuServe (GO: SPAFORUM).

Software Publishers Association
1730 M St, Northwest, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20036
202-452-1600,  Fax: 202-223-8756
 
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