Telecommunications and wireless FAQ (VVSG & VSS2002)

What is wireless? Does wireless only mean –A specific technology? NO IEEE b (WiFi)? –NO –A specific part of the electromagnetic spectrum? NO Radio Frequency? –NO Does wireless include –IEEE b (WiFi)? YES –Cellular? YES –Infrared? YES –Microwave? YES –Sight and sound? YES, but handled by human factors

What is wireless? Wireless does not equal IEEE b (WiFi) Wireless does not equal Radio Frequency (RF) Wireless includes (the set contains) –IEEE b (WiFi) –Bluetooth –Zigbee –Cellular Wireless includes (the set contains) –Radio Frequency –Infrared –Microwave –Visual (sight) –Audio (sound)

What is wireless?

Wireless and telecommunications Is wireless considered under telecommunications in VSS-2002? –YES –Is Infrared? YES, explicit –Is Radio Frequency? YES, explicit –Is cellular? NO, but implicitly Does VVSG (wireless) change any VSS-2002 requirements? –NO –It reaffirms the existing requirements –It explicitly adds security requirements which were previously implicit requirements (e.g., )

Telecommunications Are private networks considered under telecommunications in VSS- 2002? –YES –Is LAN? YES, explicit –Is WAN? YES, explicit –Is ISDN? YES, explicit –Is DSL? YES, explicit –Is Frame Relay? YES, explicit –Is ATM? YES, implicit –Is cable television? YES, implicit –Is digital TV satellite? YES, implicit –Is PowerLine Communications? YES, implicit In other words all external communications are covered either explicitly or implicitly

Modem What is a modem? –Modulator/Demodulator –A hardware device used for modulating and demodulating data normally received and transmitted over voice grade communications systems. (A dated definition, but perhaps what most people think of when they hear the term) What is a cable modem? –Almost same as above, but use over cable television communications systems. (A newer term, because of newer technology)

Modem Is a modem/cable modem wireless or wired? –Neither As defined in the previous definition, a modem is a piece of hardware. The method of connecting it to the communications is what determines wireless or wired. –For example »if the modem uses a telephone cable, then it is wired »if the modem uses a coaxial cable, then it is wired »if the modem uses no physical cable, then it is wireless (e.g., Bluetooth is designed for cable replacement, which implies that it can potentially replace any physical cable thus making a previous wired connection, wireless.

Radio Frequency (RF) and Infrared (IR) Similarities –Neither can be seen or heard by a human –Both signals can receive interference from the environment –Both are considered wireless Differences –Signal through objects RF attenuates (passes) through some solid objects IR is stopped by most solid objects –Signal direction RF is omni directional IR is mostly line of sight –Design RF more useful for mobile systems IR more useful for fixed systems

Security (path) comparison Emissions –Cables emit unintentional signals Can these signals be intercepted? –YES Can these signals be interfered with? –YES Is it easy to modify or inject signals into the cable by wireless means? –NO Conclusion –Data transmitted must be protected to maintain confidentiality (e.g., encryption) maintain integrity (e.g., CRC ) –The need to prevent valid wirelessly injected signals is very low

Security (path) comparison Emissions –Technologies using Radio frequency (RF) create intentional signals Can these signals be intercepted? –YES Can these signals be interfered with? –YES Is it easy to modify or inject signals? –YES Conclusion –Data transmitted must be protected to maintain confidentiality (e.g., encryption) maintain integrity (e.g., CRC ) –Access to the system must be protected to prevent or at least filter unauthorized injected signals

Security (path) comparison Emissions –Technologies using Infrared (IR) create intentional signals Can these signals be intercepted? –YES Can these signals be interfered with? –YES Is it easy to modify or inject signals? –Depends Conclusion –Data transmitted must be protected to maintain confidentiality (e.g., encryption) maintain integrity (e.g., CRC ) –Access to the system must be protected to prevent or at least filter unauthorized injected signals

IEEE P1583 perspective D5.3.2b January 4, 2005 –Clause exempts IR (ES&S’s system) from being disabled during voting. This restriction does not apply to short range optical connections between voting system sub- units at the polling place as long as access is restricted to the intended unit(s).