Saturday, December 01, 2018

[ppkdjuny] Encrypted QB communication

Is the radio communication between coach and quarterback in the NFL encrypted?  Encrypting voice in real time with low latency is a neat technical problem.  There is huge incentive for the opposing team to break the encryption and eavesdrop.  If the encryption is strong (a big if), then do practical attacks like rubber-hose and side-channel.  (Sounds like something the Patriots would do.)  Having well-funded attacks and defendings of cryptosystems is good for the field of cryptography.  Maybe it can be a testbed for cutting-edge cryptography.

However, for entertainment, I think the NFL should revert back to the old days and ban radios, and do communication via large sideline placards.  This gives fans additional interesting things to watch during the game.  Teams can also engage in practical battles of cryptography and cryptanalysis, stealing signs like baseball.  It needs to be simple but secure, a difficult tradeoff.  Is the QB permitted to have a decryption computer as part of the uniform?

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