[comp.sys.sun] Tempest Specification

glass%mica.Berkeley.EDU@ucbvax.berkeley.edu (10/24/89)

I've been asked to write an essay on the Tempest specification -- a
document which describes ways to make computer systems less susceptible to
snooping by listening to their radiated electric and magnetic fields. I
know that Sun and Zenith make computers that conform to Tempest, and am in
the process of contacting these companies; however, I need more general
info on the sorts of things a manufacturer must do to meet the spec --
and, if possible, a copy of the spec itself.

If you have pointers to information on this subject, please send e-mail.
Any and all suggestions of sources would be MUCH appreciated.

wolfgang@bbn.com (Wolfgang Rupprecht) (11/04/89)

>>I've been asked to write an essay on the Tempest specification ...
>>[need] info on the sorts of things a manufacturer must do to meet the spec --
>>and, if possible, a copy of the spec itself.

>Unless the situation has changed of late, the Tempest specification itself
>is classified.  Unless you have a security clearance and need to know,
>nobody can tell you anything very specific.  Yes, this is stupid.

A good unclassified source of info is "Compliance Engineering" a
publication by Dash, Straus + Goodhue, 629 Mass Ave., Boxborough MA.  They
are an FCC/Tempest advice house, and publish an annual "how-to" guide.
The guide is wonderful reading, giving many amazing numbers.  For example,
in the '89 issue page 338 starts the article which gives the typical E vs.
time and I vs. time curves for nuke bursts (50kv/m in a 5-10 nanosecond
pulse!!!).  Basically you can kiss most of your non-shielded electronic
equipment goodby if this ever happens.

Wolfgang Rupprecht	ARPA:  wolfgang@mgm.mit.edu (IP 18.82.0.114)
TEL: (703) 768-2640	UUCP:  mit-eddie!mgm.mit.edu!wolfgang