CESG

The Communications-Electronics Security Group of GCHQ is the UK Government’s National Technical Authority for the use of cryptography, and for Information Security [Infosec] more generally. CESG’s task is to ensure the availability of two things: technical measures for protecting IT and communications systems from compromise, and guidance and help in applying them cost effectively.

CESG helps devise policy and facilitates solutions for computer communications and radiation security right across government and in some circumstance’s for wider markets, making valuable use of partnerships with industry.

CESG’s business activities fall under the following distinct areas:

Infosec policy, Infosec Consultancy and Advice, Cryptographic Products, Certification and Key Material.

Its primary customers are HMG’s many civil departments and agencies, and the three armed services. CESG also provides services to organisations in the wider public sector, and to a number of private sector enterprises. Amongst these are companies with a role in the critical national infrastructure.”

Articles by CESG:

John Ridley Public Key Cryptography Public Key Cryptography Explained Most readers of SECURITY INTERNATIONAL will by now have heard about the growing importance of public key cryptography [PKC] and its relevance for government, commercial enterprises and the private citizen. Whilst details of the underlying mathematics are well beyond the grasp of most of us, the important thing is to understand the basics of how the technology can be applied, and what it means to the end user community. This article is intended to give a brief overview of PKC, and a new branch of PKC, which might find useful applications within the public sector.