The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 12

Cryptography is a system to conceal private messages from being read by anyone but the intended receiver. Using these systems often requires an extensive knowledge of mathematics, computer science, and electrical engineering. Many techniques are used to obscure or code messages, from simple letter substitution codes to the most sophisticated encryption systems that guard computer information. The CIA not only uses cryptography methods to decipher coded messages, but it also invents and uses the same methods to guard messages transmitted by government agencies and others. Many other governments and international corporations use cryptography to both protect and decipher code information transmitted throughout the world.

The CIA employs many specialists in cryptography. Mostly they train their own experts who have mathematics or computer science education. Julian Marconi led one of the CIA cryptography teams in the New York area. It was rare for Julian to use outside consultants because his team was the experts in this field. Paul Jacobs was an exception. The highly respected MIT Cryptography Initiative referred him to the CIA. I don't think this Paul Jacobs can add any value to our specialist team. We must teach him how to use our computer systems to decipher encrypted messages. That's wasted time because our own agents are already familiar with those systems. There's a big difference between deciphering codes as a hobby and doing the same thing as a profession.

"Mr. Marconi, Mr. Jacobs is here to see you," a voice on the intercom said.

I'll give this guy one of our messages we're working on to satisfy my boss. "Hello Mr. Jacobs, I'm Julian Marconi," Julian said, while they shook hands. Paul was a little nervous but excited too. "Nice to meet you."

"I hope I can help you?" Paul said.

"The best way to learn how we decipher codes is to jump in and try one. Here is a message we are decoding. I would like you take a look at it. Follow me, I'll show you to a workstation." They entered a small sterile room with no windows that contained six workstations. Large computer terminals sat on each desk. One of the stations was vacant.

"Here, you can use this one. We have several computer systems we use to run the multitude of iterations sometimes needed to decipher complex coded messages. If we need to use this capability for the message you are working on, I'll get one of our computer specialists to take over. If you identify the type of code we can take it from there. Decoding could take a long time. Often days or even weeks."

"Okay, I guess. I'm sure you understand this is all new. I doubt I will be able to do anything that your own people can't do, but I'll try." He's right about that. We're the experts.

"That's all I ask. We usually break for lunch at noon. There's a cafeteria downstairs if you want to buy something. The other analysts in this room will go down so you can join them if you want."

"That'll be fine." Paul sat himself down in from the computer screen and viewed for the first time the coded message, a string of numbers, some of them were more than a hundred digits long. Paul had successfully deciphered coded messages that looked like this for the MIT Cryptology Initiative, but that was just for his amusement.

This will be interesting. He's just sitting looking at the message. I feel sorry for him. This is a waste of his time. He's probably humiliated.

Paul sat in a trance looking at the numbers for two hours until one of the other people in the room spoke to him, "Hello, my name is John, John Appleton. We're going downstairs to the cafeteria for lunch. Do you want to join us?"

Startled, Paul looked at the man bewildered, like he'd awoke from a sound sleep. "Sure, I need to eat something." The six shared a table. Paul went through the cafeteria line not paying attention to what he was doing. He returned to the table with the others and noticed that all he had on his tray was a bowl of tomato soup and a glass of water. Next to the soup was a package of saltine crackers. He didn't even have a soup spoon, so he tried to use a teaspoon. The others looked curiously at his choice but continued with their own meal. They tried to engage Paul, but he only gave minimal responses. His mind was obviously back at the workstation studying the coded message.

The six returned to their workstations, and Paul sat again staring at his screen. Julian's office had a glass wall so he could view the work area where Paul sat. This guy is hopeless. Just staring at his screen and hardly moving. At about 4 pm Julian noticed Paul typing on his computer keyboard. He did this for about 20 minutes and then stood next to his workstation and walked to Julian's office knocking on the open door.

"Do you need something, Paul?" Julian said.

"No, I'm finished." Paul said. He means he's done. Gave up. I would too.

"I typed the deciphered message in a Word document and it's on my screen." No way.

Julian showed Paul where to save his file then invited Paul to his office so they could review the message together. There's no way he could have deciphered this without using a computer.

Paul said, "It is a Diffie-Hellman key exchange code which can be pretty tedious to decipher. The exponents are seven and four."

"I didn't know you could use our computer system." This is incredible. No one could do that in their head.

"I used the exponential logarithm solution guard key and deciphered the message without it. I transcribed all the letters but I don't know what they mean."

Julian looked at the first line and by separating the words he could tell that it must be correct. "Our analysts will need to give the message context but the words you have uncovered are clearly the message. Thank you so much. That... that's great... an amazing accomplishment. How can you do that in your head?"

"I don't know. It's like I'm somewhere else. My mind locks onto it and runs through the permutations of billions and billions of possibilities faster than any computer to arrive at the solution."

"I have to tell you the truth. I really didn't think you could help us. Now I know you can. I'll send you a check for your work, as we agreed. If we need you again, we'll contact you."

"That'll be fine. It was a lot of fun. I'm charged up right now. Sorry it took me so long but it was quite complex."

Julian laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. This was the most amazing display he had ever seen.