It may be difficult to envision exactly what is meant by encryption technology. Yet this technology is important in protecting the information and content people use every day. Examples include data protection for Wi-Fi systems and smartcards, copy protection for Blu-ray Discs and authentication systems for online shopping.

What is Cryptographic Technology?
Through a complex process in which data is encrypted and transmitted and then decrypted with a data “key,” encryption technology ensures secure network connections. Encryption technology has many applications including: FeliCa contactless smartcard e-money and fare payment systems, online shopping authentication systems, copyrighted content protection systems for DVDs and Blu-ray Discs, encryption systems designed to prevent unauthorized access to data on hard drives, and secure internet communication protocols, such as SSL and TLS.

In online shopping, for example, encryption is used to prevent identity theft or unauthorized access to personal information sent to online stores by customers, such as addresses, credit card numbers and order details.

Shibutani: Encryption technology was already in wide use, and various technologies were being developed by various consumer electronics manufacturers. However, we felt there was still ample room for research, and we began to develop a detailed strategy that included a timetable for the introduction of an encryption technology to surpass existing systems.

Having decided on “ideas for enhancing security,” in May 2006 a development project was officially launched to address this most critical aspect of encryption. The name “CLEFIA,” which was derived from the French word “clef,” meaning “key,” reflects the fact that the recipient of encrypted information requires a special data “key” to decode that information.

Akishita: Encryption technology is used in both software (such as e-mail programs), as well as hardware (such as smartcards). Because of the need to balance security and speed (prior to CLEFIA) it wasn't feasible to use the same encryption technology for both. A major advantage of CLEFIA is its suitability for use with both software and hardware applications, and in particular its suitability with compact hardware. We gradually enhanced the implementation performance of the technology through a trial-and-error process in cooperation with the designers of each component.

In September 2006, an encryption technology representing the best efforts of the team was independently evaluated by encryption experts and found to provide excellent security. In addition, the maximum speed of the encryption technology when implemented in hardware was unprecedented. In fact it was double the level required under the US Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). What the team had created was CLEFIA, an encryption technology realizing the perfect balance between security and speed.

First announced in 2007, CLEFIA was formally adopted as an international standard by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in January 2012, following deliberations at international conferences.

Katagi: We wanted CLEFIA adopted as an international standard so that people everywhere would recognize its reliability and be able to use it with confidence. There would also be business advantages, since the use of technology based on international standards is commonly a requirement under the procurement policies of various organizations, including governmental and other public agencies.

However, the market was already saturated with encryption technologies based on the ISO/IEC 18033 standard, which the team had originally targeted. The newly established standardization project team therefore proposed an entirely new international standard, ISO/IEC 29192, for an encryption technology capable of operating with low power consumption. The aim was to have CLEFIA adopted as that international standard.

Katagi: Because we had proposed the creation of a new standard, we encountered opposition both within Japan and internationally. Our efforts to win support required not only expert knowledge of encryption technology, but also careful groundwork and negotiating skills. When I first became a member of the standardization team, I wondered if we'd ever achieve our goal. However, it turned out that our most persuasive arguments were CLEFIA's speed and the compact size of the chips in which it could be implemented.

All members of the team were unanimous in their view that CLEFIA was realized as a result of Sony's unique culture.

Shirai: Everyone involved in the development of CLEFIA was guided by Sony's culture of making products as compact and light as possible, and approaching development from the user's perspective. I am confident that encryption technologies such as CLEFIA will become increasingly important as Sony focuses more on its network business.

Katagi: I believe that adoption as an international standard will provide an important boost for the adoption of CLEFIA across an ever-widening base of users. Our goal now is to devise and popularize applications for CLEFIA that reflect Sony's capabilities as a company with a vast and rich range of products and services.