A Historical Survey of Romanian Intelligence

Abstract

Writing a survey of Romanian espionage is a challenge because the information is sensitive and therefore of limited availability, especially when dealing with the codes and ciphers. The history of Romanian espionage begins with opposing sides intercepting messengers and letters, and proceeds chronologically to the most sophisticated mathematical methods of encryption and decryption. This article aims to capture the essential ingredients of the evolution of espionage in Romania, with emphasis on the Romanian contribution to the development of espionage, and to discuss both the benefits and disservices that espionage has brought to various groups, countries, and all of humanity. There is one certainty regarding this information: The push to develop more efficient methods of espionage has substantially contributed to the advancement of science and technology.

Keywords:

• cryptography in Romania
• cryptographic methods
• Romanian history
• Romanian intelligence

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lavinia Corina Ciungu

Lavinia Corina Ciungu is from Romania, and is a faculty member of the Department of Mathematics of the University of Iowa. She obtained a PhD in Logic and Universal Algebra from the University of Bucharest in 2007 and a PhD in Cryptography from State University of New York at Buffalo in 2010.

David Kahn

David Kahn is a world famous historian, journalist and writer. He is the founding editor of Cryptologia and author of the monumental book The Codebreakers. He obtained a PhD in History from Oxford University in 1974 and became NSA's scholar in residence in 1995.