RED/BLACK concept

Abstract

The RED/BLACK concept refers to the careful segregation in cryptographic systems of signals that contain sensitive or classified plaintext information RED Signals from those that carry encrypted information, or ciphertext BLACK signals.



In NSA jargon, encryption devices are often called blackers, because they convert RED signals to BLACK. TEMPEST standards spelled out in NSTISSAM TEMPEST 2-95 specify shielding or a minimum physical distance between wires or equipment carrying or processing RED and BLACK signals.

Different organization have differing requirements for the separation of RED and BLACK fiber optic cable. RED/BLACK terminology is also applied to keys.

BLACK keys have been encrypted with an Key Encryption Key (KEK) and are therefore considered benign.

RED keys are not encrypted and must be treated as highly sensitive material.

See Also

• Security engineering
• Secure by design
• Secure computing

References

• NSTISSAM TEMPEST 2-95