USIN

Communication within a system unlike interstellar communication is much more rapid. Combined with more powerful data transmission and capture technology, most systems utilize a network of communication nodes (comm nodes) throughout the system to boost data signals. Many of these comm nodes are unmanned, floating throughout regions of space within a system. However a few critical nexus points for communication may be operated by a small permanent staff. These larger nexus nodes could be part of a space station, situated on an asteroid, or other small planetary body.

The primary communication means that all planets in the galaxy use is the Universal System Information Network (USIN). This network employs powerful encryption and compressed data to quickly transmit messages throughout a system. Additionally, the message is routed through several comm nodes to scramble the location of the sender (as well as the recipient). While communication could be attained much faster, messages are routed and delayed so that both the sender and recipient have difficulty determining where the other party is. They simply know that they are speaking to someone within the star system, even though it might be actually be at a terminal in the next room.

Messages commonly take 30-45 minutes to be received, and this does make communication strained if needing a fast response. However USIN is secure. Less secure material can be transmitted through USIN more rapidly, but this data has a weaker encryption and no attempts are made to route through other network comm nodes. In emergencies, system governments utilize the high priority communication network that USIN provides. In fact delay in receiving messages through USIN in these cases is only due to distance. Roughly 30 AU would take approximately 45 minutes to travel using USIN, while closer distances would take considerably less time.

However the vast majority of users will communicate through typical USIN protocols, ensuring privacy with their correspondence, even if communication times take longer. Both parties can attain anonymity through USIN. No unencrypted data is stored on its networks, and once the message is received all data and data logs are purged from USIN networks. In fact the weakest security link is actually the machines that either user employs to access USIN. Hence, most covert operations revolve around obtaining the computer or PDU (personal data unit) that a person possesses, rather than trying to hack into USIN.

Some governments and espionage divisions do try to intercept USIN communication though. The most common means employed is to physically tap into the comm nodes floating in space. Messages are still encrypted and jumbled within vast amounts of other data. However armed with login codes and information obtained from a user (commonly lifted from their access computer), one could sift through the communication data and make an attempt at cracking the message encryption. This would take likely years though. Yet armed with more information from a user (such as login credentials and their message cipher key), tapping into a comm node could allow a party to possibly get needed information faster.

Because of this exceedingly remote security risk, some more totalitarian governments and megacorporations use their own versions called PUSIN (Private Universal System Information Network). These operate much like USIN however they route communication through their own space communication nodes. These nodes are typically manned stations within a system, ensuring no one attempts a space EVA to tap into their network node directly at that point. While it would take at best roughly a year to hack into such messages (provided the hacker had a plethora of information on a user), some projects and research from governments and megacorporations are so sensitive, they prefer to utilize PUSIN modes of communication.

Due to this increased security, USIN is the communication network of choice by citizens and governments of the galaxy. USIN is the communication standard for financial transactions, private citizen messaging, government channels of communication, even for criminal networks. It is the messaging system of choice for nearly all in the galaxy.

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