Transmission security (TRANSEC) is the component of communications security (
COMSEC) that results from the application of measures designed to protect transmissions from interception and exploitation by means other than
cryptanalysis
Cryptanalysis (from the Greek ''kryptós'', "hidden", and ''analýein'', "to analyze") refers to the process of analyzing information systems in order to understand hidden aspects of the systems. Cryptanalysis is used to breach cryptographic sec ...
. Goals of transmission security include:
*
Low probability of intercept
A low-probability-of-intercept radar (LPIR) is a radar employing measures to avoid detection by passive radar detection equipment (such as a radar warning receiver (RWR), or electronic support receiver) while it is searching for a target or engag ...
ion (LPI)
* Low probability of detection (LPD)
* Antijam — resistance to
jamming (EPM or
ECCM)
Methods used to achieve transmission security include
frequency hopping and
spread spectrum where the required
pseudorandom
A pseudorandom sequence of numbers is one that appears to be statistically random, despite having been produced by a completely deterministic
Determinism is a philosophical view, where all events are determined completely by previously exi ...
sequence generation is controlled by a
cryptographic
Cryptography, or cryptology (from grc, , translit=kryptós "hidden, secret"; and ''graphein'', "to write", or '' -logia'', "study", respectively), is the practice and study of techniques for secure communication in the presence of adve ...
algorithm and
key
Key or The Key may refer to:
Common meanings
* Key (cryptography), a piece of information that controls the operation of a cryptography algorithm
* Key (lock), device used to control access to places or facilities restricted by a lock
* Key (map ...
. Such keys are known as transmission security keys (TSK). Modern U.S. and
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, ; french: Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord, ), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European and two No ...
TRANSEC-equipped radios include
SINCGARS and
HAVE QUICK.
See also
*
Electronic warfare
Electronic warfare (EW) is any action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum (EM spectrum) or directed energy to control the spectrum, attack an enemy, or impede enemy assaults. The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponen ...
Cryptography
Military communications
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