This article recounts the professional journey of Ida Steyn, who began working at the SAP/SAPS Security Branch in Potchefstroom in 1986 and later qualified as a cryptographer through the highly classified SAKSA training programme. She describes the demanding nature of cryptographic work, strict security protocols, and the responsibility of safeguarding confidential, secret, and top‑secret police communications. Steyn outlines the operational environment, including controlled access facilities, inspections, key‑card management, and the introduction of modern encrypted communication systems such as the Data 6. Her later appointment as crypto controller for the former Wes‑Transvaal province illustrates the high level of trust, discipline, and integrity required in police cryptographic operations. The article preserves an important part of South Africa’s policing and intelligence heritage.

“Kriptografiese toerusting is gespesialiseerde kommunikasietoerusting… om Vertroulike, Geheime en Uiters Geheime inligting veilig te versend en te ontvang.”

“Dit was ’n posisie wat groot verantwoordelikheid, absolute integriteit en onwrikbare dissipline vereis het.”