TSEC/KY-68 DSVT, commonly known as Digital Subscriber Voice Terminal, is a US military ruggedized, full- or

half-duplex A duplex communication system is a point-to-point system composed of two or more connected parties or devices that can communicate with one another in both directions. Duplex systems are employed in many communications networks, either to allow ...

tactical telephone system with a built-in

encryption In cryptography, encryption is the process of encoding information. This process converts the original representation of the information, known as plaintext, into an alternative form known as ciphertext. Ideally, only authorized parties can decip ...

decryption In cryptography, encryption is the process of encoding information. This process converts the original representation of the information, known as plaintext, into an alternative form known as ciphertext. Ideally, only authorized parties can decip ...

module for

secure Secure may refer to: * Security, being protected against danger or loss(es) **Physical security, security measures that are designed to deny unauthorized access to facilities, equipment, and resources **Information security, defending information ...

traffic. It transmits voice and data at 16 or 32

kbit/s In telecommunications, data-transfer rate is the average number of bits (bitrate), characters or symbols (baudrate), or data blocks per unit time passing through a communication link in a data-transmission system. Common data rate units are multi ...

, converting voice to a digital signal. The KY-68 can operate via civilian and military

switches In electrical engineering, a switch is an electrical component that can disconnect or connect the conducting path in an electrical circuit, interrupting the electric current or diverting it from one conductor to another. The most common type of ...

in either encrypted or un-encrypted mode, or point-to-point (encrypted mode only). Although used primarily for secure communications, the KY-68 can also transmit to a Digital Non-secure Voice Terminal (DNVT). A local switch warns the KY-68 user with a tone signal when initiating communication with a non-secure terminal. The KY-68 is keyed using an Electronic Transfer Device, typically either a

KYK-13 The KYK-13 Electronic Transfer Device is a common fill device designed by the United States National Security Agency for the transfer and loading of cryptographic keys with their corresponding check word. The KYK-13 is battery powered and uses the ...

AN/CYZ-10 A fill device or key loader is a module used to load cryptographic keys into electronic encryption machines. Fill devices are usually hand held and electronic ones are battery operated. Older mechanical encryption systems, such as rotor machin ...

. An almost identical office version (KY-78) features the same electronics as the KY-68, but has an exterior casing composed of lighter materials. The KY-68 and KY-78 are approved for use with

SECRET Secrecy is the practice of hiding information from certain individuals or groups who do not have the "need to know", perhaps while sharing it with other individuals. That which is kept hidden is known as the secret. Secrecy is often controvers ...

-classified information.

External links

Jerry Proc's page on the KY-68

— Field Manual 11-43 National Security Agency encryption devices {{crypto-stub

See also

External links