crucial tech

Getting serious about PQC

t seems like everyone should be concerned, based on the level of urgency the companies present, but in the end, no one has yet built a quantum computer capable of breaking even the most standard 256-bit encryption. To that statement, the industry responds with, “Yet.”

This year, however, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) issued the first, approved algorithm standards to produce encryptions capable of fighting off quantum computing attacks. So we thought it would be a good idea to put together a batch of experts to explain why the rest of us should care.

The invitation was put out to a dozen experts in the PQC industry, but also to the companies tasked with implementing their products into the internet. Unfortunately, none of the PQC companies ended up accepting the invitation when they learned they would on the same platform discussing their approaches. But we did get acceptances from representatives from the other group. Our final panel was Karl Holqvist, CEO of of Lastwall;; Tim Hollebeek, industry strategist for Digicert; and Murali Palanisamy, chief solutions officer of AppviewX.

The three companies both compete with and complement each other services, but all were active in the development of the standards with NIST. Our conversation is available on our podcast Crucial Tech.

However, there are still questions regarding the urgency, timing, and whether the introduction of quantum computing on an encryption-busting level is even possible in the near future.

The rest of this story is available with a subscription only.

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here
Read more...

Crucial Tech: Madison Horn and the inflection point for Congress

We are at an inflection point in the US Congress. For decades technology companies have been given free rein to advance and innovate without concern for the negative impact of what they produce. That honeymoon seems to be over, but their lobbying power has kept the weight of regulation relatively far from them.

Last week, the House Financial Services Committee advanced the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act, also known as the FIT Act, to the House floor for debate and approval.

Free Membership Required

You must be a Free member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here
Read more...

Social media hangs itself in TikTok legislation

The debate over the appropriateness of the Congressional action against TikTok can be debated for a long time and probably will until the Senate takes action—which could be weeks. What is less debatable is TikTok’s, and pretty much all of the social media industry’s contribution to the situation. In essence, social media has hung itself with its own lifeline.

The industry has long embraced Section 230, a section of Title 47 of the United States Code that classifies them as part of the telecommunications industry. That particular law immunizes social media platforms and users from legal liability for online information provided by third parties. The section also protects web hosts from liability for voluntarily and in good faith editing or restricting access to objectionable material, even if the material is constitutionally protected. These protections do not apply to what is traditionally known as “the media.” That is an important distinction.

The FCC also regulates related to the foreign ownership of telecommunications companies, broadcast, and cable companies, in that it is not allowed. If TikTok expects protection under Section 230, it has to abide by all the FCC regulations, including ownership. In that case, the legislation is consistent with US law.

News media or Telecom?

However, the CEO of TikTok has made the case that the legislation infringes on the First Amendment rights of the company, creators, and users because… wait for it … TikTok is a major source of news for users. In other words, it is a news medium. According to TikTok, 43 percent of users rely on the app for daily news. But that sets up an entirely different problem.

Print, broadcast, and cable media are bound by ethics and laws to print truth. If they knowingly publish defamatory and untrue information, they can be sued by the injured party. That was most recently and famously demonstrated in the lawsuits against Fox News and Rudy Guiliani for intentionally spreading lies about election technology related to the 2020 US election.

Those same lies were and still are spread on social media platforms, including TikTok, with impunity under the protection of Section 230. But if they are a news medium, the protections of Section 230 go away and TikTok and creators who spread disinformation can now be held accountable for libel and slander.
Social media companies can adjust algorithms limiting what kind of information can be distributed on their networks and they reluctantly apply those restrictions when they are pushed to. But they can’t be sued for disseminating that information under Section 230. If they

Purchase Required

This content requires that you purchase additional access. The price is $1.00 or free for our Premium members.

Purchase this Content ($1.00) Choose a Membership Level

Already a member? Log in here
Read more...

Legislation and lawsuits influence development in 2024

When it comes to technology, politicians and lawyers usually chime in on technology problems years after a product is on the market and well-adopted. But in 2024 government regulation, legislation and lawsuits, both criminal and civil, will influence the development of security and AI technology more than any innovation or market demand. And that’s just fine with industry… for the most part.

Premium Membership Required

You must be a Premium member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here
Read more...

What’s up with TikTok

TikTok is like a Dickens novel. It’s the best of apps. It’s the worst of apps. There seems to be no in-between. Over the next few weeks and maybe months, we are going to dig into the controversy and find the truth that’s somewhere in the middle. We are going to find out just what’s up with TikTok.

Read more...