(Winter 2024) CS 485/585 - Intro to Cryptography

About

  • Syllabus: PDF.
  • Lectures: M/W 11:30 - 13:20 @ KMC 590.
  • Instructor: Fang Song (fsong “AT” pdx.edu). Office hours: M 10:15 - 11:15 @ FAB 120-25 and by appointment.
  • Google classroom: join with code po46fcg.
  • Overview: Cryptography is usually described as the art of secret writing. Modern cryptography has transformed cryptography into a mathematically rigorous subject. This course will explore the key concepts in modern cryptography, including private-key cryptography such as perfect secrecy, block ciphers, crytographic hash functions and message authentication, as well as public-key cryptography such as public-key encryption and digital signatures. We will also touch on some emerging topics such as (post-) quantum cryptography. Our approch will be conceptual and theoretical: we focus on the ideas rather than implementations, and on how to define and reason about security in a mathematically sound manner. The ultimate goal will be to build a cryptographic way of thinking.
  • Prerequisite: CS 350 or equivalent. It is crucial that you are comfortable with (preferably enjoy) reading and writing mathematical proofs. It’s helpful if you are familiar with (randomized) algorithms, basic probability theory and linear algebra. If you are uncertain about your background please don’t hesitate to talk with me. Programming skills are not required for this course.
  • Required Text: Introduction to Modern Cryptography (3rd edition) by Jonathan Katz and Yehuda Lindell. Chapman and Hall/CRC, Dec. 2020. On course reserve at PSU libary. link.
  • Useful materials: see the RESOURCE page.