Encryption of data ‘manageable’ for law enforcement, think tank says … – The Hill

The challenges that data encryption pose for law enforcement are manageable, according to a new analysis by a Washington, D.C., think tank, to be released laterThursday.

The research from the Center of Strategic and International Studies, which was shared with The Hill, found no instances in which encryption played a determinative role in recent major terrorist attacks in Europe and the United States.

The think tank also concluded that encryption does not play a major role in terrorists efforts to recruit followers over the internet.

Privacy advocates and cybersecurity experts largely favor encryption and have raised alarm over the possibility of agencies like the FBI and NSA creating a backdoor to access secured data.

Still, the rise of encryption in mobile and online communications has created hurdles for law enforcement and counterterrorism operations.

The new research estimates the number of law enforcement cases affected by encryption is small, ranging from a few dozen to several hundred. Still, the experts recommend that officials monitor any increase or decrease in the number of investigations thwarted by encryption as well as terrorists use of encryption in their operations.

Our research suggests that the risk to public safety created by encryption has not reached the level that justifies restrictions or design mandates, the report states. The encryption issue law enforcement faces, while frustrating, is currently manageable.

It is not yet clear how the Trump administration will handle encryption, though the president has signaled he is on the opposite side of the debate as privacy advocates. Last year, Trumpcalledfor a boycott against Apple to force the company to help the FBI unlock the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino attackers.

Sen. Jeff SessionsJeff SessionsAla. attorney general to fill Sessions's Senate seat: report Elizabeth Warren rails against Jeff Sessions confirmation in tweet storm ACLU vows to sue Sessions if he violates Constitution as AG MORE (R-Ala.), Trumps choice for attorney general, has said that he wants federal investigators to be able to lawfully overcome encryption in order to pursue leads.

Encryption serves many valuable and important purposes. It is also critical, however, that national security and criminal investigators be able to overcome encryption, under lawful authority, when necessary to the furtherance of national-security and criminal investigations, Sessionssaidin response to questions from Sen. Patrick LeahyPatrick LeahyEncryption of data 'manageable' for law enforcement, think tank says Dems blast Sessions's ties to Trump ahead of final vote Dem senator blasts Trump's 'bromance' with Putin MORE (D-Vt.) ahead of his confirmation hearing last month.

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Encryption of data 'manageable' for law enforcement, think tank says ... - The Hill