In Chapter 9 (Page 60), the book confirms my earlier prediction about its technology-based theme by discussing the Gauntlet. The Gauntlet is a program consisting of circuit-level gateways, packet filters, and disinfectant programs that scrutinize incoming files for computer viruses and potentially dangerous subroutines. This passage provides detailed information about the Gauntlet, which serves as a protective measure for the supercomputer TRANSLTR. Susan becomes engrossed in the screen as she reads this information.
The text reveals evidence of a conspiracy theory involving two individuals conspiring against the NSA. Tankado and Hale allegedly used mutation strings to create a rotating cleartext function, indicating their involvement in this conspiracy. On the other hand, Strathmore, the head of the cryptography section at the NSA, had a different plan. He envisioned Digital Fortress as an unbreakable algorithm that would serve as a world encryption standard. However, his intention was to include a back door for the NSA, allowing him access to decrypt any internet content without the knowledge of the public or civil liberties groups like the EFF.
