US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter speaks out for strong encryption

The Pentagon wholeheartedly supports strong encryption and opposes efforts to add back doors to secure software, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said at a cybersecurity conference on Thursday.

While Carter refused to comment on the Apple case specifically — calling it a "law enforcement matter" when asked — he did say that for departments within his purview, "data security is an absolute necessity. We're foursquare behind strong data security and encryption."

He later added that he is "not a believer in back doors or a single technical approach to what is a complex problem," according to the AP.

Carter also noted that addressing the current divide between Washington and Silicon Valley will require cooperation from both sides.

If the parties refuse to come together, it could result in legislation "written by people who won't have technical knowledge, maybe written in an atmosphere of anger or grief," he said. The net effect of such legislative reaction could cause more harm than good.

19 Comments

ceek74 324 comments · 12 Years

About 8 years ago

So, I started a list of intelligent people in the US Gov't. So far I'm at 1.

hamiltonrrwatch 100 comments · 14 Years

Yep. Finally someone with some sense...

Although, his non-comment on Apple's position, calling it a "law enforcement matter" seems to undo any of his other rhetoric about "Washington and Silicon Valley" cooperation. :/

volcan 1799 comments · 10 Years

AppleInsider said:

He did say that for ~~departments within his purview~~ the military, "data security is an absolute necessity. We're foursquare behind strong data security and encryption."

Sure everyone wants data security for themselves, but as soon as they recover an enemy iPhone they'll want it cracked just like the FBI. I don't believe anything these government officials say.

ireland 17435 comments · 18 Years

sog35 said:

This whole issue is pure stupidity.

You can go online right now and buy a device that can unlock iPhones running iOS 8 with a $200 device

http://qz.com/629753/there-are-millions-of-iphones-that-can-be-unlocked-without-anyones-permission/?utm_source=YPL

The FBI has a budget in the hundreds of millions. Why the hell can't they build a similiar device?

Because that's not their goal. Their main goal is to get access to all information by setting a count precedent because they feel it's their right. They are arrogant and feel they are above the law. In the hearing Conyers read aloud an email uncovered by a Washing Post investigation that revealed government agencies were waiting for a case such as the San Bernadino one to move the ratchet further to push through new legislation or action that wouldn't otherwise be possible.