Invited Speakers

Prof. Dr. Claus P. Schnorr

University Frankfurt
Department of Mathematics
PSF 111932
60054 Frankfurt am Main
Germany

Security of Basic Discrete Log Cryptosystems
(joint work with Markus Jakobsson, Bell Laboratories)

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Abstract

We introduce novel security proofs that use combinatorial counting arguments rather than reductions to the discrete logarithm or to the Diffie-Hellman problem. Our security results are sharp with no polynomial reduction times involved. Our approach separates in a better way cryptographic weaknesses of the hash function, the group and the cryptographic protocol. This separation is crucial. If an attack is possible for a specific hash function or group we replace the latter while keeping the cryptographic protocol. As strong hash functions and strong groups have been proposed, it makes sense to analyze cryptographic protocols assuming that the hash function and the group have no cryptographic weaknesses. So we merely consider attacks that work for all hash functions and for all groups. Formally, we consider a combination of the random oracle model and the generic model. This corresponds to assuming an ideal hash function given by an oracle and an ideal group of prime order q, where the binary encoding of the group elements is useless for cryptographic attacks.

In this model, we first show that Schnorr signatures are secure against the one-more signature forgery: A generic adversary performing t generic steps including l sequential interactions with the signer cannot produce l+1 signatures with a better probability than t^2/q. We also characterize the different power of sequential and of parallel attacks.

Secondly, we show that signed ElGamal encryption is secure against the adaptive chosen ciphertext attack, in which an attacker can arbitrarily use a decryption oracle except for the challenge ciphertext. Moreover, signed ElGamal encryption is secure against the one-more decryption attack: A generic adversary performing t generic steps including l interactions with the decryption oracle cannot distinguish the plaintexts of l+1 ciphertexts from random strings with a probability exceeding t^2/q.


About the Speaker

Claus Peter Schnorr, born in 1943, studied mathematics and physics at the university Saarbruecken, where he obtained a Diplom in mathematics (1966) and a promotion as Dr. rer. nat. (1967), supervised by Prof. Dr. Hotz. In 1970 he got a Habilitation for extending the theory of Kolmogorov random sequences. C.P. Schnorr became professor at the University Saarbruecken (1970), at the University Erlangen-Nuernberg (1971). Since August 1971 he is full professor in the Mathematics Department and also in the Computer Science Department (since its foundation) of the University Frankfurt am Main. He initiated and continues to chair a series of workshops on Complexity Theory and Cryptography at the Mathematical Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach, the IBFI Dagstuhl and the CIRM Luminy. He was visiting professor at Stanford, Berkeley, U. Chicago, SMU Dallas, ENS Paris, U. Marseille Luminy and at Bell Laboratories. He is author of about 60 research papers and two books on various subjects in applied mathematics, number theory, computer science and cryptography. He holds basic patents in public key cryptography.























Udo Rockmann
BEng, MIEAust, CPEng(Reg), AFAIM, MACS, PCP

Office for Government Online
Dept of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
Australian Government

PKI in Australia

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PPT.GZ File [320 KB]
PPT.ZIP File [320 KB]

Abstract

Public key cryptography can contribute to information assurance enablers for electronic commerce - integrity, authentication, confidentiality and non-repudiation. However, the utility of a national public key infrastructure is dependent on more than just state-of-the-art algorithms, digital certificates and certification authorities.

A scalable public key infrastructure requires interoperable certificate profiles, policies and practices. A functional national public key infrastructure needs to protect privacy, limit liability and give legal effect to digital signatures. There are many additional considerations that influence widespread user acceptance of digital signatures and other public key cryptography applications. End users will demand robust technology and seamless applications from vendors. They will also require trusted service providers and a supporting legal and contractual framework. This is where government and industry bodies can play a role.

I will describe the standards and drivers that led to the development of Gatekeeper - a strategy for public key technology use in Government. I will describe the role of the Government Public Key Authority in the implementation of Gatekeeper, and detail the rigorous evaluation and accreditation process being applied to service providers. I will also discuss the initiatives of Standards Australia, the Certification Forum of Australia and the National Electronic Authentication Council, and examine recent legislative initiatives such as the Electronic Transactions Bill.


About the Speaker

Udo Rockmann has 25 years practical experience in communications and information technology, and has specialized in information security for the past 15 years. He has held senior positions in Defence Communications Stations and Intelligence Centres, and has worked in the Defence Signals Directorate. He also had three successive appointments to Defence Headquarters where he developed policies and strategies for Communications Security, Information Security and Information Assurance respectively. He is the immediate past chairman of the International Subject Matter Experts forum on Information Security, and holds a Bachelors Degree in Communications Engineering from RMIT. He is a Chartered and Registered Professional Engineer, and has professional qualifications with the Australian Computer Society, the Institute of Engineers Australia and the Australian Institute of Management. He is currently a director at the Office for Government Online and responsible for whole-of-government online security and the Government's Public Key Infrastructure.