[Spooks] Cuban numbers & Playfair cipher

[Fansome]

Message: 1
Date: Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:05:13 -0400
From: Nicholas Gessler <nick.gessler@duke.edu>
Subject: [Spooks] Cuban numbers & Playfair cipher
To: Shortwave Spy Numbers Stations <spooks@mailman.qth.net>
Message-ID: <20090823170514.AC666358C23@smtp.duke.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
 
Thanks to those of you who have helped with insights into the
tradecraft of Cuban numbers stations.
 
I just came across a
Playfair cipher used by Ana Belen Montes posted by the FBI
and have posted it with some analytical comments:
http://www.duke.edu/web/isis/gessler/collections/crypto-cuban-numbers.htm
 
If I am correct about the method of its use, I am quite surprised at the
lack of security of this method of communication...  It was in use some time
before September 21, 2001 and so I am wondering if anyone has extensive
recordings from that period for which this table might be the key?
 
I have requested more images of tradecraft items and will post what I get
as I receive them.
 
My apologies for cross-posting and my gratitude to those who have
emailed me with ideas and data.
 
Nick
nick.gessler@duke.edu
 

[ChrisSmolinski]

There's presumably a OTP or other encryption as part of the process, as well.

[Pigmeat]

"Fidel Says Drink Your Ovaltine".