The
PhD Journal Club Talk
“The
McEliece Public Key Cryptosystem”
by Nick Coxon - UQ
10.30am, Tuesday 25th November, 2008
Abstract:
In
1978 R. McEliece proposed the first public key
cryptosystem based on the theory of error-correcting codes. The original version of the McEliece cryptosystem is one of the oldest public key
cryptosystems and remains unbroken for appropriate system parameters. Quantum computers seem to provide little
improvement to attacks on code-based cryptosystems thus making the McEliece cryptosystem of interest as a possible candidate
for post-quantum cryptography.
I
will give a very brief introduction to public key cryptography and linear codes
then describe the McEliece cryptosystem. The remainder of the talk will be padded with
cryptanalysis and random bits.
----
The setting for these talks is quite informal as we are all
non-experts. We aim to spark a good
discussion on an interesting topic, so all are invited to attend. If you would like to contribute or have any
queries please email Katrina: keh@maths.uq.edu.au.
Also, the following temporary website has some information about the
talks: http://www.maths.uq.edu.au/mathsed/phd/timetable.html
(links to the notes provided by the speakers are not yet active).