Novice code breakers have been invited to attempt to decipher secret coded messages on a restricted version of an Australian 50 cent coin.
The coin was launched on Thursday to mark the seventy fifth anniversary of the Australian Alerts Directorate (ASD), the company chargeable for indicators intelligence, cyberwarfare and cybersecurity.
The company collaborated with the Royal Australian Mint to design the limited-edition coin, which is roofed in layers of secret code. When damaged, the code comprises particular messages concerning the ASD and its historic evolution as an organisation in Australia relationship again to the second world struggle.
“This thrilling coin launch challenges Australians to have interaction with the types of problem-solving that our proficient individuals at ASD do day-after-day, and would possibly even be a pointer to a brand new profession with us for many who can crack it,” ASD director normal Rachel Noble mentioned.
There are 4 layers of code on the coin, every harder than the final. It combines codes 1000's of years outdated via to fashionable binary code invented in the course of the age of computing.
One layer is impressed by the coding know-how used in the course of the second world struggle by ASD personnel, through which pencil and paper was used to decode Japanese navy codes. These have been then re-encoded and despatched out to allies, letting them know the place Japanese struggle fighters have been.
“Now we have used that a part of our historical past in numerous layers, which represents the progress of encryption and know-how all through 75 years,” Noble mentioned.
There are clues on each side of the coin, and people with a normal understanding of encryption and coding will safely make it via to the final layer, which requires a pc.
“Although some coding for the coin originated with the Roman empire, there's remarkably nonetheless a spot for them in fashionable intelligence,” Noble mentioned.
“I'm immensely impressed of the individuals who work at ASD and this coin celebrates their work, in addition to giving all Australians a glimpse of our historical past of defending the nation from hurt.”
The coin was formally launched at this time, with 50,000 on the market via the Mint’s on-line portal.
The ASD will reveal the solutions on the finish of September.
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