BSSN Holds Historical Trace of Cryptography, Emphasising Increasingly Complex Cyber Threats

The National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) held a Historical Trace of Cryptography event to commemorate its 80th anniversary. The event took place at Rumah Sandi Dukuh, Samigaluh, Kulon Progo.

The event began with a ceremony at Lapangan Dekso, led by BSSN Chief, Nugroho Sulistyo Budi. Under the theme ‘Traces of Cryptography, Pillars of Cyber Serving the Nation’, the activity served as a reflection on the long journey of cryptography while strengthening its role in national cyber security.

The historical trace was attended by around 165 members of BSSN’s leadership, cadets from the National Cyber and Crypto Polytechnic (Poltek SSN), representatives from the DIY Communication and Informatics Forum, local government officials, students, and journalists.

Participants followed the route once used by couriers to deliver secret messages during the independence struggle. The hilly terrain and agricultural fields traversed depicted the challenges of maintaining information security before the digital era.

In addition, participants viewed a collection of historical artefacts such as cryptography writing tools, media for storing secret messages, and documentation of past cryptography systems, including the legacy of national cryptography figure, Dr Roebiono Kertopati.

BSSN Chief, Lieutenant General (Ret.) TNI Nugroho Sulistyo Budi, emphasised that current information security challenges are far more complex amid digital transformation.

‘In the current perspective, because data is now digital, the threats are also increasingly complex. In the past, people had to come in person; now the systems are stolen, with malware, ransomware, and various technologies,’ said Nugroho when met at Lapangan Dekso, Kalibawang, Kulon Progo, on Tuesday morning (31/3/2026).

Nugroho explained that although the form of threats has changed, the essence of the challenge remains the same, namely safeguarding the confidentiality of state information. He added that this historical trace event is important for re-instilling the values of struggle from the cryptography pioneers.

‘The challenges are the same, only the situations and perspectives differ. In the past, troop movements could be detected; now sensitive information can be exposed to adversaries,’ he said.

‘What we appreciate here is the spirit, dedication, and sacrifice. In the past, even lives were at stake. Now the impact is also not light if data leaks,’ he added.

Furthermore, Nugroho stated that Indonesia has a long history in cryptography, which has developed since the World War II era.

‘We have grown since the World War II era and become part of the global dynamics at that time,’ Nugroho concluded.