HP 3000 Manuals HP 3000 Manuals
Chapter 7 Encryption Programs HP Desk implements a method of encrypting (encoding) data items for added security. An encryptor is supplied with HP Desk to allow users to encrypt items to keep them secure from unauthorized access. An encrypted item may then be, for example, mailed to another HP Desk user who may only read that item if they can supply the correct keyword. As the encryption is based on a user-supplied keyword, the keyword should not be sent in the same package as the encrypted item - otherwise an unauthorized user may be able to decrypt the item by accessing the message. Communications between users as to a common password should be by means other than HP Desk to maintain security. For details of how to use the ENCRYPT command see HP DeskManager User Reference Guide. The HP Desk encryption algorithm does not adhere to any particular standards. Therefore, you may install your own encryption programs if you wish, by using the INSTALL command in a similar way to installing other items in HP Desk. In order to do this the user must have System Administrator capabilities. Such programs have to adhere to a simple protocol for communicating within HP Desk, which is discussed in "Encryption Program Communications Protocol" later in this section. You can write encryptors to either replace the standard encryptor, or work alongside it. As a general rule, the more secure the encryptor, then the slower the encryption algorithm. Therefore, you might want to give users the choice of one encryptor for the quick coding of normal mail and one for occasional use on mail requiring particular security. In networks, you must ensure that if encrypted mail can be sent from one computer, it can be decrypted at another. That is, the encryption program is available on all computers in the network where it may be required, and is installed on each with the same identifier.