Brief description of the course:

 

It is possible to build a cabin with no foundations, but not a lasting building.”

 

           Eng. Isidor Goldreich (1906-1995)

 

 

Cryptography is concerned with the conceptualization, definition, and construction of computing systems that address security concerns. The design of cryptographic systems must be based on firm foundations. This course presents a rigorous and systematic treatment of foundational issues: defining cryptographic tasks and solving new cryptographic problems using existing tools. This course will be based on the book titled "Foundations of Cryptography: Volume II Basic Applications", by Oded Goldreich. In the course we will look at the basic applications (in cryptography) like encryption schemes, signature schemes and general cryptographic protocols.

 

Although the second volume builds on the first volume in the same series ("Foundations of Cryptography: Volume I Basic Tools", by Oded Goldreich), there are no pre-requisites for this course and we will keep it as self contained as possible. However, basic familiarity with the design and analysis of the algorithms; some knowledge of complexity theory and probability is useful.

 

Details:

·          What: CS6209, Topics in Cryptography.

·          When: Every Tuesday, 11am-1pm. First class on 11th January, 2011.

Please note that the class on 25th January 2011 will occur from 4 pm to 6 pm .

·          Where: COM2-108 (Tutorial room 9).

·          Books:

1.      "Foundations of Cryptography: Basic Applications" (this is the Volume 2).

Author: Oded Goldreich. Publication: Cambridge University Press.Year 2004.

·          Useful weblinks:

1.      http://www.wisdom.weizmann.ac.il/~oded/foc.html

 

2.      http://www.wisdom.weizmann.ac.il/~oded/foc-book.html

 

·          Office Hours: Every Tuesday 2-3pm or by appointment.

 

Course Outline (roughly):

Definitions and construction.

Definitions and construction.

The definitional approach and a general construction.

 

Lecture notes: Lectures .

 

 

Assignments: Coming .