VoIP can sidestep Echelon
Voice over IP systems have been touted as a way to keep confidential company data safe from the Echelon spy network, according to a former Nato technical director.
Voice over IP (VoIP) systems have been touted as a way to keep confidential company data safe from the Echelon spy network, according to a former Nato technical director.
French authorities last week launched an official investigation into the Anglo-US spy network, claiming that they lost important contracts for Thompson and Airbus because the US National Security Agency leaked information of their negotiations to US competitors.
Brian Gladman, former technical director of NATO, said the easiest way for companies to secure their networks was to encrypt voice transmissions using VoIP. This technique transfers voice into digital data that can be safely encrypted with the emerging IPv6 protocol.
"Any decent network manager should make VoIP part of the future development of their network to take full advantage of the encryption of the IPv6 protocol," said Gladman.
He added that companies should not underestimate foreign governments' desire to gain a competitive edge from spying.
"There is enough information to know that governments spy on foreign companies to gain technological advantages for their companies. Network managers must protect their company's confidential data," he said.
British journalist Duncan Campbell has investigated Echelon on behalf of the European Committee, and confirmed that encryption does safeguard against surveillance. He said that "correctly engineered encryption prevents both targeting and interception from the Echelon network".