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  • EDUCATE
    EDUCATE

    ...our citizens to be cyber smart, and develop pathways for the future cyber workforce.

  • ENGAGE
    ENGAGE

    ...and convene partners to address emerging cyber and cryptologic issues.

  • COMMEMORATE
    COMMEMORATE

    ...our cryptologic history & those who served within the cryptologic community.

THE NCF VISION

Advance the nation’s interest in cyber and cryptology through leadership, education, and partnerships.

UPCOMING EVENTS

*** Remember to check out our "On This Date in History" calendar. See link below.

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Saturday, May 4, 2024
UMBC

Saturday, May 4, 2024
8:30 am2:00 pm
TAC's TheLink, 7000 Columbia Gateway
Suite 150
Columbia, MD 21046
US

Thursday, May 9, 2024
6:30 pm8:00 pm

EXPLORE WHAT'S NEW

This spotlight features news, programs, & more.

Click the link below the item to learn more.

October 26, 2014

Decrypting the Phaistos Disk: Gareth Owens at TEDxHeraklion

This TED presentation featuring Gareth Owens will definitely interest those who have been fortunate enough to visit the Minoan Museum in Iraklion, Crete. Many great minds have struggled to decipher the text on the Phaistos Disc, found by Sir Arthur Evans in the early 1900s at the ruins of Knossos Palace. From this presentation, one learns that only now an understanding of the inscriptions reflects that they represent a form of prayer to a Minoan deity.

Cryptologists will appreciate the references in the discussion to Bletchley Park, Alan Turing, and others as being influential in achieving progress in understanding the language used, tied to the figures inscribed on the Phaistos Disc.

The TED presentation was held at the Cretan Aquarium, located in a refurbished building on the former Iraklion Air Station, just east of Iraklion, Crete.

Click the link above to see the TED presentation on YouTube.
Click the link below to return to a full listing of Cryptologic Bytes on the Archives page.

THIS MONTH on the

On This Day In History

Calendar

  • Station HYPO Intercepts Revealed Japanese Plans for Attack

About Us

The NCF's Vision is to strengthen trust in the digital ecosystem.

The NCF Mission: Advance the nation’s interest in cyber and cryptology as we:

Educate citizens to be cyber smart individuals, 

Develop pathways for the future cyber and cryptologic workforce, 

Engage and convene partners to address emerging cyber and cryptologic issues and, 

Commemorate our cryptologic history and those who served. 

The Foundation provides exceptional cryptologic programs, encourages young minds to learn about cryptology and to explore cyber-related career opportunities, hosts educational, cryptology-related exhibits at various community events, and honors the people— past and present—whose contributions to our national security protect and make possible our way of life.

The NCF also provides needed support to the National Cryptologic Museum (NCM), the first public museum in the U.S. Intelligence Community. Located adjacent to the National Security Agency (NSA) in Maryland, the NCM houses a unique and priceless collection of artifacts that represent our Nation's history in code making and code breaking, as well as a world class library of cryptologic media. The NCF has acquired rare and invaluable artifacts for the Museum and helps to support new educational and interactive exhibits.

The NCF is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Learn more about our MISSION, VISION, and VALUES.