A communications system includes a modulator having a first input to receive a synchronization key and to generate a synchronization signal having encoded therein the synchronization key to enable synchronization of a message signal, a second input to generate Gaussian noise generated by a pseudo-random number generator, and an output port to provide a modulated synchronization signal. The modulated synchronization signal and the message signal appear as random noise. In further embodiment, the communications system includes a demodulator having a first input to receive the synchronization signal, a second input to receive a comparison signal, and an output port to provide a synchronization output signal.