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| release_date = 1998 | release_date = 1998
| english_release_date = | english_release_date =
| media_type = Print (], ] ((]) | media_type = Print (hardback, paperback ((])
| pages =
| isbn = ISBN 0-312-18087-X (first edition hardcover) | isbn = ISBN 0-312-18087-X (first edition hardcover)
| oclc= 55045760 | oclc= 55045760
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| followed_by = ] | followed_by = ]
}} }}
'''''Digital Fortress''''' is a ] novel written by American author ] and published in 1998 by ]. The book explores the theme of ] surveillance of electronically stored information on the private lives of citizens, and the possible ] and ethical implications using such technology. '''''Digital Fortress''''' is a ] novel written by American author ] and published in 1998 by ]. The book explores the theme of government surveillance of electronically stored information on the private lives of citizens, and the possible ] and ethical implications using such technology.


==Synopsis== ==Synopsis==
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In fact the DES was first publicly broken in 1997, 96 days after the first of the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.distributed.net/history.php|title=Distributed net|accessdate=2010-06-18}}</ref> In 1998, the same year as Digital Fortress was published, the ] (featured in the book) built a piece of hardware costing less than $250,000 called the ] which broke it in 56 hours and by 1999 the record was under 24 hours.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.cnet.com/Record-set-in-cracking-56-bit-crypto/2100-1017_3-220333.html|publisher=CNet |title= Record set in cracking 56-bit crypto|accessdate=2010-06-18}}</ref> In fact the DES was first publicly broken in 1997, 96 days after the first of the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.distributed.net/history.php|title=Distributed net|accessdate=2010-06-18}}</ref> In 1998, the same year as Digital Fortress was published, the ] (featured in the book) built a piece of hardware costing less than $250,000 called the ] which broke it in 56 hours and by 1999 the record was under 24 hours.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.cnet.com/Record-set-in-cracking-56-bit-crypto/2100-1017_3-220333.html|publisher=CNet |title= Record set in cracking 56-bit crypto|accessdate=2010-06-18}}</ref>


The ] used by TRANSLTR takes twice as long for each extra bit added to the key (if this is done sensibly), so the reaction of the industry has understandably been to lengthen the key. The ] established in 2001 uses 128, 192 or 256 bits, which take at least 10<sup>21</sup> times as long (i.e. 2<sup>70</sup>) to solve by this technique.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/03/business/technology-us-selects-a-new-encryption-technique.html| title=TECHNOLOGY; U.S. Selects a New Encryption Technique|work=New York Times|accessdate=2010-06-18 | first=John | last=Schwartz | date=2000-10-03}}</ref> The ] used by TRANSLTR takes twice as long for each extra bit added to the key (if this is done sensibly), so the reaction of the industry has understandably been to lengthen the key. The ] established in 2001 uses 128, 192 or 256 bits, which take at least 10<sup>21</sup> times as long (i.e. 2<sup>70</sup>) to solve by this technique.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/03/business/technology-us-selects-a-new-encryption-technique.html| title=TECHNOLOGY; U.S. Selects a New Encryption Technique|work=New York Times|accessdate=2010-06-18 | first=John | last=Schwartz | date=October 3, 2000}}</ref>


Unbreakable codes are not new to the industry. The ], invented in 1917 and used for the cold-war era ], was proved to be unconditionally secure by ] in 1949 when properly implemented.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Shannon, Claude.|title=Communication Theory of Secrecy Systems|publisher=Bell System Technical Journal|volume=28('''4''')|page=656&ndash;715|date=1949}}</ref> However it is inconvenient to use in practice and is limited mainly to military and governments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/library/s-pads.html|title=Software security for developers: One-time pads|author=Gary McGraw, John Viega|publisher=IBM|accessdate=2010-11-02}}</ref> Unbreakable codes are not new to the industry. The ], invented in 1917 and used for the cold-war era ], was proved to be unconditionally secure by ] in 1949 when properly implemented.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Shannon, Claude.|title=Communication Theory of Secrecy Systems|publisher=Bell System Technical Journal|volume=28('''4''')|page=656–715|year=1949}}</ref> However it is inconvenient to use in practice and is limited mainly to military and governments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/library/s-pads.html|title=Software security for developers: One-time pads|author=Gary McGraw, John Viega|publisher=IBM|accessdate=2010-11-02}}</ref>


==Foreign language editions== ==Foreign language editions==
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<!-- DO NOT PUT A LINK TO A FOREIGN WIKIPEDIA WITHOUT A CITATION SUPPORTING THAT THE NOVEL WAS PRINTED IN THAT LANGUAGE. THIS LIST IS ONLY FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDITIONS OF THE **NOVEL**, NOT OF THIS ARTICLE. FOREIGN WIKIPEDIAS WITH AN ARTICLE ON THE NOVEL, BUT IN WHICH THE NOVEL WAS NOT PRINTED ARE IN THE SIDEBAR ON THE LEFT.--> <!-- DO NOT PUT A LINK TO A FOREIGN WIKIPEDIA WITHOUT A CITATION SUPPORTING THAT THE NOVEL WAS PRINTED IN THAT LANGUAGE. THIS LIST IS ONLY FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDITIONS OF THE **NOVEL**, NOT OF THIS ARTICLE. FOREIGN WIKIPEDIAS WITH AN ARTICLE ON THE NOVEL, BUT IN WHICH THE NOVEL WAS NOT PRINTED ARE IN THE SIDEBAR ON THE LEFT.-->


*'']'' - ]<ref>. ]. Accessed May 25, 2012.</ref> *'']'' – ]<ref>. ]. Retrieved May 25, 2012.</ref>
*'']'' - Brazil<ref name=BrownSite></ref> *'']'' – Brazil<ref name=BrownSite></ref>
*''Цифрова крепост'' - Bulgarian<ref name=BrownSite/> *''Цифрова крепост'' – Bulgarian<ref name=BrownSite/>
*'']'' - Danish<ref>. Department of the Danish National Library. Accessed November 13, 2011</ref><ref> (publisher in Denmark); Accessed November 13, 2011</ref> *'']'' – Danish<ref>. Department of the Danish National Library. Retrieved November 13, 2011</ref><ref> (publisher in Denmark); Retrieved November 13, 2011</ref>
*'']'' – Dutch<ref name=BrownSite/><ref></ref> *'']'' – Dutch<ref name=BrownSite/><ref></ref>
*'']'' - Chinese<ref name=BrownSite/> *'']'' – Chinese<ref name=BrownSite/>
*''Digitaalne kindlus'' - Estonian<ref> at Ester Kallinn E-Katalog]; Accessed October 15, 2010</ref> *''Digitaalne kindlus'' – Estonian<ref> at Ester Kallinn E-Katalog]; Retrieved October 15, 2010</ref>
*'']'' - German<ref name=BrownSite/> *'']'' – German<ref name=BrownSite/>
*'']'' - Hebrew<ref name=BrownSite/> *'']'' – Hebrew<ref name=BrownSite/>
*'']'' – Hungarian<ref></ref> *'']'' – Hungarian<ref></ref>
*''디지털 포트리스'' - Korean<ref name=BrownSite/> *''디지털 포트리스'' – Korean<ref name=BrownSite/>
*''Ciparu cietoksnis'' - Latvian<ref> at Jānis Roze, Accessed October 31, 2010</ref> *''Ciparu cietoksnis'' – Latvian<ref> at Jānis Roze, Retrieved October 31, 2010</ref>
*'']'' - Lithuanian<ref>. manoknyga.lt. Retrieved December 19, 2011.</ref> *'']'' – Lithuanian<ref>. manoknyga.lt. Retrieved December 19, 2011.</ref>
*'']'' - Macedonian<ref> at magor.com.mk (Magor is the publisher). Retrieved June 4, 2012.</ref><ref></ref> *'']'' – Macedonian<ref> at magor.com.mk (Magor is the publisher). Retrieved June 4, 2012.</ref><ref></ref>
*'']'' - Polish<ref name=BrownSite/> *'']'' – Polish<ref name=BrownSite/>
*'']'' - Portugal<ref name=BrownSite/> *'']'' – Portugal<ref name=BrownSite/>
*'']'' - Romanian<ref name=BrownSite/> *'']'' – Romanian<ref name=BrownSite/>
*'']'' - Russia<ref>{{cite web |author= |date=8 August 2006|url=http://www.ast.ru/item/617328/ |title=Цифровая крепость|language=Russian |publisher=Publishing house “AST”|accessdate=17 April 2010}}</ref> *'']'' – Russia<ref>{{cite web |date=August 8, 2006|url=http://www.ast.ru/item/617328/ |title=Цифровая крепость|language=Russian |publisher=Publishing house “AST”|accessdate=April 17, 2010}}</ref>
*'']'' - Serbian<ref name=BrownSite/> *'']'' – Serbian<ref name=BrownSite/>
*'']'' - Slovak<ref name=BrownSite/><ref> at Shop.sk; Accessed August 11, 2010</ref> *'']'' – Slovak<ref name=BrownSite/><ref> at Shop.sk; Retrieved August 11, 2010</ref>
*''Digitalna Trdnjava'' - Slovene<ref name=BrownSite/> *''Digitalna Trdnjava'' – Slovene<ref name=BrownSite/>
*'']'' - Spanish<ref name=BrownSite/> *'']'' – Spanish<ref name=BrownSite/>
*'']'' - Swedish<ref name=BrownSite/> *'']'' – Swedish<ref name=BrownSite/>
*''ล่ารหัสมรณะ'' (Digital Fortress) - Thai<ref name=BrownSite/> *''ล่ารหัสมรณะ'' (Digital Fortress) – Thai<ref name=BrownSite/>
<!-- DO NOT PUT A LINK TO A FOREIGN WIKIPEDIA HERE UNLESS THE NOVEL WAS PRINTED IN THAT LANGUAGE. THIS LIST IS ONLY FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDITIONS OF THE **NOVEL**, NOT OF THIS ARTICLE. FOREIGN WIKIPEDIAS WITH AN ARTICLE ON THE NOVEL, BUT IN WHICH THE NOVEL WAS NOT PRINTED ARE IN THE SIDEBAR ON THE LEFT. MAKE SURE YOU CITE YOUR SOURCE IF YOU ADD AN EDITION.--> <!-- DO NOT PUT A LINK TO A FOREIGN WIKIPEDIA HERE UNLESS THE NOVEL WAS PRINTED IN THAT LANGUAGE. THIS LIST IS ONLY FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDITIONS OF THE **NOVEL**, NOT OF THIS ARTICLE. FOREIGN WIKIPEDIAS WITH AN ARTICLE ON THE NOVEL, BUT IN WHICH THE NOVEL WAS NOT PRINTED ARE IN THE SIDEBAR ON THE LEFT. MAKE SURE YOU CITE YOUR SOURCE IF YOU ADD AN EDITION.-->


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==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}


==External links== ==External links==

Revision as of 04:41, 31 August 2012

Digital Fortress
First edition cover
AuthorDan Brown
LanguageEnglish
GenreScience fiction
Techno-thriller
PublisherSt. Martin's Press Transworld (United Kingdom)
Publication date1998
Publication placeUnited States
United Kingdom
Media typePrint (hardback, paperback ((audiobook)
ISBNISBN 0-312-18087-X (first edition hardcover) Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character
OCLC55045760
Followed byAngels & Demons 

Digital Fortress is a techno-thriller novel written by American author Dan Brown and published in 1998 by St. Martin's Press. The book explores the theme of government surveillance of electronically stored information on the private lives of citizens, and the possible civil liberties and ethical implications using such technology.

Synopsis

When the United States National Security Agency's code-breaking supercomputer (TRANSLTR) encounters a new and complex code—Digital Fortress—that it cannot break, Commander Trevor Strathmore calls in Susan Fletcher, their head cryptographer, to crack it. She discovers that it was written by Ensei Tankado, a former NSA employee who became displeased with the NSA's intrusion into people's private lives. Tankado intends to auction the code's algorithm on his website and have his partner, "NDAKOTA", release it for free if he dies. Essentially holding the NSA hostage, the agency is determined to stop Digital Fortress from becoming a threat to national security.

When Tankado does indeed die in Seville, of what appears to be a heart attack, Strathmore asks David Becker (Susan's fiancé) to travel to Seville and recover a ring that Tankado was wearing when he died. The ring is suspected to have the code that unlocks Digital Fortress. However, Becker soon discovers that Tankado gave the ring away immediately before his death. Each person he questions in the search for the ring is murdered by Hulohot, a mysterious assassin.

Meanwhile, telephone calls between "North Dakota" and Numataka (chairman of a large computer company in Tokyo) reveal that North Dakota hired Hulohot to kill Tankado in order to gain access to the passcode on his ring and speed up the release of the algorithm. At the NSA, Fletcher's investigation leads her to believe that Greg Hale, a fellow NSA employee, is North Dakota. Phil Chartrukian, an NSA technician who is unaware of the Digital Fortress code breaking failure and believes Digital Fortress to be a virus, conducts his own investigation into whether Strathmore allowed Digital Fortress to bypass Gauntlet (NSA's virus/worm filter). However, Chartrukian is murdered in the sub-levels of TRANSLTR by an unknown assailant. Since Hale and Strathmore were both in the sub-levels, Fletcher assumes that Hale is the killer; however, Hale claims that he witnessed Strathmore killing Chartrukian. Chartrukian's death by falling off a balcony also damages TRANSLTR's cooling system.

Hale holds Fletcher and Strathmore hostage to prevent himself from being arrested for the murder. It is then that Hale explains that the e-mail he supposedly "received" from Tankado was actually in his inbox because he was snooping on Strathmore, who was also watching Tankado's e-mail account. After the encounter, Hale's name is cleared when Fletcher discovers through a tracer that North Dakota and Ensei Tankado are actually the same person, as "NDAKOTA" is an anagram of "Tankado". Strathmore's role as the primary antagonist is revealed when Strathmore fatally shoots Hale, and arranges it to appear as a suicide. Susan later discovers through Strathmore's pager that he is the one who hired Hulohot. Becker later kills Hulohot in a violent confrontation.

Chapters told from Strathmore's perspective reveal his motives. By hiring Hulohot to kill Tankado, having Becker recover his ring, and at the same time arranging for Hulohot to kill him, would help facilitate a romantic relationship with Fletcher, regaining his lost honor, and enable him to unlock Digital Fortress. By making phone calls to Numataka impersonating as "North Dakota", he thought he could partner with Numataka Corporation to make a Digital Fortress chip equipped with his own backdoor Trojan so that the NSA can spy on every computer equipped with these chips. However, Strathmore was unaware that Digital Fortress is actually a computer worm once unlocked, "eating away" at the NSA databank's security and allowing "any third-grader with a modem" to look at government secrets. When TRANSLTR overheats, Strathmore commits suicide by standing next to the machine as it explodes. The worm eventually gets into the database, but soon after Fletcher figures out the password, and is able to terminate the worm before hackers can get any significant data. The NSA allows Becker to return to the United States, reuniting him with Fletcher. At last it is revealed that Numataka is Ensei Tankado's father. Numataka left Tankado the day he was born since Tankado was a deformed child.

Characters

  • Susan Fletcher — The NSA's Head Cryptographer, and the story's lead character
  • David Becker — A Professor of Modern Languages and the fiancé of Susan Fletcher
  • Ensei Tankado — The author of Digital Fortress and a disgruntled former NSA employee
  • Commander Trevor Strathmore — NSA Deputy Director of Operations and main antagonist
  • Phil Chartrukian — Sys-Sec Technician
  • Greg Hale — NSA Cryptogropher
  • Leland Fontaine — Director of NSA
  • "Hulohot" — An assassin hired to locate the Passkey and secondary antagonist
  • Midge Milken — Fontaine's internal security analyst
  • Chad Brinkerhoff — Fontaine's personal assistant
  • "Jabba" — NSA's senior System Security Officer
  • Tokugen Numataka — Japanese Executive attempting to purchase Digital Fortress.

Real life scenarios

The book is loosely based around recent history of cryptography. In 1976 the Data Encryption Standard (DES) was approved with a 56-bit key rather than the 64-bit key originally proposed. It was widely believed that the National Security Agency had pushed through this reduction in security on the assumption that it could crack codes before anyone else.

In fact the DES was first publicly broken in 1997, 96 days after the first of the DES Challenges. In 1998, the same year as Digital Fortress was published, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (featured in the book) built a piece of hardware costing less than $250,000 called the EFF DES cracker which broke it in 56 hours and by 1999 the record was under 24 hours.

The brute force search used by TRANSLTR takes twice as long for each extra bit added to the key (if this is done sensibly), so the reaction of the industry has understandably been to lengthen the key. The Advanced Encryption Standard established in 2001 uses 128, 192 or 256 bits, which take at least 10 times as long (i.e. 2) to solve by this technique.

Unbreakable codes are not new to the industry. The one-time pad, invented in 1917 and used for the cold-war era Moscow-Washington hotline, was proved to be unconditionally secure by Claude Shannon in 1949 when properly implemented. However it is inconvenient to use in practice and is limited mainly to military and governments.

Foreign language editions

The following is a list of foreign language editions of the novel. This is not a list of foreign language Wikipedias with an article on the novel, but merely editions in which the novel was printed. Those that are listed here are linked to the article on the novel on that language's Misplaced Pages. Foreign language Wikipedias that feature an article on the novel but in which an edition of the novel was not printed are not listed here, but in the sidebar to the left of the article.

Editions that feature the title "Digital Fortress" on the cover in both English and in that foreign language indicate this in parenthesis.


See also

References

  1. "Has the DES been broken?". RSA Labs.
  2. "Distributed net". Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  3. "Record set in cracking 56-bit crypto". CNet. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  4. Schwartz, John (October 3, 2000). "TECHNOLOGY; U.S. Selects a New Encryption Technique". New York Times. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  5. Shannon, Claude. (1949). "Communication Theory of Secrecy Systems". 28(4). Bell System Technical Journal: 656–715. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. Gary McGraw, John Viega. "Software security for developers: One-time pads". IBM. Retrieved November 2, 2010.
  7. الحصن الرقمي. Google Books. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
  8. ^ Digital Fortress World Editions at Dan Brown’s official site
  9. Statsbiblioteket. Department of the Danish National Library. Retrieved November 13, 2011
  10. Hr. Ferdinand (publisher in Denmark); Retrieved November 13, 2011
  11. Juvenalis Dilemma at uitgeverijluitingh.nl
  12. Digitaalne kindlus at Ester Kallinn E-Katalog]; Retrieved October 15, 2010
  13. Entry in the database of the Hungarian National Library
  14. Ciparu cietoksnis at Jānis Roze, Retrieved October 31, 2010
  15. Skaitmeninė tvirtovė. manoknyga.lt. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
  16. Дигитална тврдина at magor.com.mk (Magor is the publisher). Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  17. Macedonian translation at Trove
  18. "Цифровая крепость" (in Russian). Publishing house “AST”. August 8, 2006. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
  19. Digitálna pevnosť at Shop.sk; Retrieved August 11, 2010

External links

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