G3 facsimile security option-UK proposal for ITU-TS recommendation

The presented facsimile security proposal, made from the British Facsimile Industry Consultative Committee, addresses both the security aspect of the transmission and the parallel requirements for message integrity and authentication. The proposal uses two cypher algorithms: HFX40, which is used for the secure transfer of the main facsimile message, and HKM, which is used for secure key management. This G3 facsimile security option, which is being considered by the ITU-TS (International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication Standards Sector) for the international standard, fulfils market requirements with current facsimile technology, existing transmission principles, negligible additional hardware and minimal software change. It is the only detailed proposal to be made, it has no known limitations and will hopefully be agreed for implementation in 1996.