The Impact of Oecd Cryptography Policy Data Security |

ABSTRACT:

In 1997 OECD releasedGuidelines for Cryptography Policy.Within the OECD it was recognised early on that disparities in laws couldcreate obstacles to the development of national and global information andcommunications networks. Cryptography is thought to be particularly valuable infostering global electronic commerce. The OECD recommendation sets out eight principles that should be followedby member nations in establishing their own cryptography policies.  OECD Guidelines are only”recommendations”   - but because the OECD functions asa consensus forum for the most developed countries, the Guidelines arehad asignificant international impact.  For example the Finnish and Swedish Governments have adoptedcryptography policies pursuant to OECD’s challenge   to national governments to draft nationalcryptography policies. In fact, many nations have not stated their cryptographypolicies openly in the past. In the most egregious cases, business userslearned the scope of a nation’s policy only when the authorities appeared attheir hotel or office to confiscate their ’ unauthorized’ communicationsequipment. If followed faithfully, this OECD recommendation will moveregulation of cryptography out of the shadows and into the normal world ofbusiness regulation.