Nuclear launch codes.

[SideWinder]

So i am watching Mission Impossible 4, hence the thread.

There is a storyline about Russian nuclear launch codes and how the codes have fallen into the wrong hands. Surely these codes can just be changed by the Russians, problem solved?

I've noticed this in several films and i don't understand the significance of the codes as well as i thought.

 

[SideWinder]

The Russians did not know there was an issue...

But surely that is where security comes in to it's own? By constantly changing the codes every week or so, IF the codes get stolen all will be okay.