Computer Science 666 - Theory & Practice/Cryptography

This is an introduction to cryptography, emphasizing formal definitions and proofs of security. Though the course is theoretical in nature, its viewpoint will be "theory for practice." In particular, we will discuss cryptographic algorithms that are used in practice and how to reason about their security. More fundamentally, we will try to understand what security "is" in a rigorous way that allows us to follow sound cryptographic principles and uncover design weaknesses. Tentatively, we will cover: blockciphers, pseudorandom functions and permutations, symmetric encryption schemes and their security, hash functions, message authentication codes and their security, authenticated encryption schemes and protocols such as SSL/TLS, public-key encryption schemes and their security, digital signature schemes and their security, and public-key infrastructures.

Open to graduate Computer Science students only. PREVIOUSLY COMPSCI 690C. MATHEMATICAL MATURITY, BEING COMFORTABLE READING AND WRITING MATHEMATICAL PROOFS. SEATS SAVED FOR INCOMING GRAD STUDENT REGISTRATION. STUDENTS NEEDING SPECIAL PERMISSION MUST REQUEST OVERRIDES VIA THE ON-LINE FORM: https://www.cics.umass.edu/academics/course-overrides.