Encryption of 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey maps for Recorder

To enable the secure distribution of the 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey map series for use with the Recorder 2000 application. The maps were to be encrypted and supplied on CD. Users of the CD set should be able to apply for unlock keys for maps, to which they access, by email, fax or post. Once unlocked, the maps should be automatically installed for use with the Recorder 2000 software.

We employed triple DES encryption to distribute the maps on a CD set. A bespoke map selector application on the CD enables the user to visually select map tiles (shown with a thumbnail view and a representation of location on a map of GB). The selected map tiles can be added to a basket which can be used as a basis for an order for unlock codes. The unlock code order produced by generating an email automatically for the user addressed to the NBN as a digital order or a text file for faxing/posting. A further application (used by the NBN staff) produces secure unlock keys for the user and emails (or post/fax) them back to the user.
The whole ordering system is highly secure and efficient (the user application reads the returned keys in and unlocks the maps) and enforces the licensing requirements of the Ordnance Survey.