[Info-vax] DEC Alpha was used for generating nuclear authorization codes

[nor...@gmail.com]

https://www.npr.org/2022/12/17/1143039868/the-revamped-nsa-museum-opens-with-displays-of-former-nuke-secrets-spy-artifacts

The DEC Alpha, an imposing but otherwise unremarkable black server, generates both the presidential authorization codes, which verify a command is coming from the president, as well as the codes that attach to specific weapons, to verify the weapon hasn't been stolen before being launched. While the NSA needs supercomputers to aid in generating the codes, the machine that creates the physical piece of paper isn't all that complicated, explained Houghton. After a thorough review within the government, and after these machines were replaced a few years ago, the agency determined it was safe to put the DEC Alpha on display.

It's a move that has stunned experts in the field.