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The KRYPTOS Society is No Mystery

SUMMARY

The KRYPTOS Society was established in 1981 to “promote interest in cryptoanalysis” and “excellence in the cryptologic community.” It had 250 members in 2005, has local chapters in second-party spy agencies like GCHQ, and organizes competitions, monthly lectures, etc. Membership costs $5 per calendar year.

DOCUMENT’S DATE

Jul 08, 2005

PUBLICLY AVAILABLE

Mar 12, 2018

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Page 1 from The KRYPTOS Society is No Mystery
DYNAMIC PAGE -- HIGHEST POSSIBLE CLASSIFICATION IS TOP SECRET // SI / TK // REL TO USA AUS CAN GBR NZL (U) The KRYPTOS Society is No Mystery FROM: KRYPTOS President Run Date: 07/08/2005 Another profile of an NSA Learned Organization... (U) SERIES: (U) Learned Orgs '05 (U) What is KRYPTOS? (U) The KRYPTOS Society was established in 1981 to promote interest in cryptanalysis, to provide a focal point for the fields of common interest to cryptanalysts of the National Security Agency, and to promote excellence in the cryptologic community. It has since expanded with chapters at GCHQ, CSE and DSD, which has members from GCSB as well. Although NSA's KRYPTOS has an elected council of 8 members from the community, it cannot function without volunteers from among the rest of the approximately 250 members. (U) What does KRYPTOS do? (U) First, KRYPTOS sponsors several technical talks throughout the year. These talks are given by members of the wider cryptanalysis community and are hopefully of interest to cryptanalysts, and are usually open to all cleared employees. (U) In addition, KRYPTOS sponsors several annual activities to recognize cryptanalytic excellence. The Cryptanalytic Literature Competition is for papers written on topics clearly relating to cryptanalysis and there is also a Technical Talk (on video) competition which seeks to recognize the best technical presentation on cryptanalysis or one of its related disciplines. International panels of judges decide what papers and talks are awarded (cash prizes). The Norman Roberts Award, also juried by an international board, is sponsored by the Cheltenham Chapter to recognize outstanding contributions by a junior analyst; finally there is the Peter Jenks Community Service Award for NSA KRYPTOS members only. In addition, KRYPTOS acts as a cosponsor with the Cryptanalysis Skill Community for the prestigious Gold Bug award. (U) Starting the fall of 2005, there will be a "Cryptanalyst of the Quarter" where a KRYPTOS member can nominate anyone for a significant, but perhaps unheralded, cryptanalysis achievement in the previous 6 months. The recipient will be awarded a gold coffee mug with the KRYPTOS logo. (U) KRYPTOS sponsors an annual luncheon/banquet where the annual prizes are awarded and Distinguished Members from among the retired cryptanalysts are honored (based on nominations from the cryptanalysis community). In addition, we have sponsored a strictly social event for the past several years: a CryptoMathematics Institute/KRYPTOS family night at a Bowie Baysox baseball game. (U) How do I join and what's in it for me? 1. Have You Considered Joining a Learned Organization? 2. The CryptoMathematics Institute Has the Formula 3. The Crypto-Linguistic Association 4. The KRYPTOS Society is No Mystery 5. Form an Alliance: Join the International Affairs Institute 6. NSA's 'Women in Mathematics Society'
Page 2 from The KRYPTOS Society is No Mystery
(U) Cost of membership is $5 a calendar year. The money helps fund the awards and a discount on the banquet cost for members. As a KRYPTOS member you can participate in the annual November election of council members (either by voting and/or running!). You may also volunteer to help in the planning or executing of the many activities. (U) When you fill out the membership form you may indicate in what areas you would be willing to help. The monthly KRYPTOS Council meetings are open to all members. (U//FOUO) For more information, visit our NSA website , "go kryptos". "(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet without the consent of S0121 (DL sid_comms)." DYNAMIC PAGE -- HIGHEST POSSIBLE CLASSIFICATION IS TOP SECRET // SI / TK // REL TO USA AUS CAN GBR NZL DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108