Forts, with the utmost of respect, I believe you are missing the larger picture of the negative ramifications of encryption. First, it is not [public communications] encryption itself which is the enemy, it is what encryption facilitates. And the coup de gras of what
Public Safety encryption facilitates is non-transparency and secrecy. Secrecy fosters corruption, and corruption finally creates an enormous potential for abuse of power and every manner of illegal and unlawful conduct by those utilizing and/or exploiting encryption.
I'm speaking not as someone who is merely theorizing, but as someone who has been to regions and observed firsthand how regimes have implemented the practices of secrecy and non-transparency against its citizen. And to be in most of these cultures is, for lack of better terminology, to be in hell. And that is an entirely different story which is probably beyond the scope of RR.
I don't come without some practical examples of the disadvantages of encryption, (moderators please forgive me for posting this list twice). Perhaps you should first have a look at this by-no-means exhaustive list of a few of the disadvantages to encryption. Some points are more relevant than others but they're all important on some level.
- A security system (encrypted radio) is only as strong as it’s weakest link. A crypto radio system has many that analog or standard P25 do not have.
- Numerous dead zones, more so than analog or straight P25.
- Higher probability of single radio or total system failure.
- Large scale key administration is difficult, has vulnerabilities, and is susceptible to error.
- A crypto radio system is not fully secure because it can be still be overheard by bystanders and or criminals in the vicinity.
- Dirty or money-desperate cops who compromise and give out cryptographic keys or entire radios, such as in exchange for money or to organized crime.
- Police error. Transmitting in the clear when they believe they are encrypted.
- False sense of security. Any system can always be hacked or compromised. Since the information going over an encrypted system will be of a more sensitive nature, it can greatly compromise the privacy and safety of average citizens.
- Encrypting the radios is likely to increase the already festering mistrust of police officers by average citizens.
- Lack of real-time awareness of police operations is the introduction of more corruption into the police department. Cover-ups, framing, bribes, police brutality etc.
- It's easier for police departments to hide errors in procedures or operational deficiencies.
- In many extreme situations, real time information is absolutely crucial in saving lives. Police and fire scanners are very important for obtaining real time information in situations when hostile threats, mass crime sprees (shootings), hazardous materials, flooding, power outages and storm damage and other threats needs to be known immediately.
- So-called "terrorists" could quickly and easily learn to take advantage of vulnerabilities created by encrypted public safety radio systems with their lack of real-time awareness of media and the public, putting the public at much greater risk.
- Encrypted radios cutoff assistance from citizens and off-duty public safety personnel.
I think we all agree that tactical channels (i.e. SWAT) and investigative channels should be encrypted, but public call and dispatch channels should not. in short, please don't be too quick to throw transparency to the curb in favor of what you see as "security." What's true today often is not true tomorrow. And at some period down the road, you may find that it was a mistake which cannot be reversed.
