X-Message-Number: 537 Date: Tue, 12 Nov 91 10:59:43 PST From: Subject: Re: cryonics: #534 - #535 re: Message: #535 [CRYONICS Security needs; From: ] "Do cryonics organizations have anything they need to keep secret other than the names of those members who want their identites kept secret?" A much more important issue than simple secrecy (for the purposes of confidentiality) is the issue of authentication. It is vital that the veracity of one's information be safeguarded in order to avoid being misled, harrased by sabotage, or even framed. This is an especially serious concern when records are seized by government agents. The big issue is forgery, not confidentiality. Digital signatures are the main line of defense against forgery. But encryption helps by hiding information that could be useful in constructing more believable forgeries. Besides, how does one meaningfully alter an encrypted document that one cannot decrypt (other than by completely destroying it)? However, confidentiality can be important as well. Alcor's ability to provide confidentiality may influence sign up decisions of those who are in the public eye, or who otherwise must fear general disclosure of their interest in cryonics. I have personal knowledge of one such secret cryonicist, and I am sure there are others. As for mailing lists: mail can be sent to aliases at post office boxes. -- alan () Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=537