News

Colloquia

Non-commutative Algebraic Cryptography

Speaker: Delaram Kahrobaei
City University of New York

December 6, 2012 - 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Reception at 3:30pm
Location: SAGE 5101
Hosted By: Prof. Sibel Adali (x8047)

Abstract:

Most common public key cryptosystems and public key exchange protocols presently in use, such as the RSA algorithm, Diffie-Hellman, and elliptic curve methods are based on number theory and depend, in particular, on the structure of abelian groups. The strength of computing machinery has made these techniques potentially susceptible to attack. As a result, an active line of research has arisen to develop cryptosystems and key exchange protocols using noncommutative cryptographic platforms. This line of investigation has been given the broad title of noncommutative algebraic cryptography. Research in this area was initiated by two public key protocols that used the braid groups, one by Ko, Lee et. al. and one by Anshel, Anshel and Goldfeld. The study of these protocols and the group theory surrounding them has had a large effect on research in infinite group theory. In this talk I survey a couple of these noncommutative group based methods and discuss several ideas in abstract infinite group theory that have arisen from them. I will also allude to my recent work in this area.

Bio:

Prof. Kahrobaei is an associate professor of mathematics at NYCCT (City University of New York) and holds a dual appointment in the doctoral program in computer science at the CUNY Graduate Center. She was previously an Assistant Professor in Pure Mathematics at the Mathematical Institute, at University of St Andrews. She is currently the director or Center for Logic Algebra and Computation. Her work has been supported through grants by the Naval Research Office, the National Science Foundation, NASA, PSC-CUNY research foundation, Faculty Fellowship Publication award, London Mathematical Society, Edinburgh Mathematical Society Grants as well as Swiss National Fund. She has served as editor for the International Journal for Open Problems in Mathematics and Computer Science.

Last updated: November 27, 2012