Koblitz and the Uneasy Relationship between Mathematics and Cryptography

Neal Koblitz published this paper in 2007, examining a couple of different approaches to the area of 'provable security'. It's a fantastic read :D

When I first came across 'provable security', I got a rather uncomfortable feeling.

Sometimes, it is rather apparent when authors deliberately attempt to aggrandise their particular field of interest, mainly by inventing deliberately obscure and opaque notation and conventions to try and convince the novice that the subject is an order of magnitude harder than it really is.

Coming from a pure maths background, I came across little of this in my earlier life, as pure maths is about as humble a subject as you can get.

But, with 'provable security', this attempt at embellishment of what are really rather simple ideas struck me.

This observation is also made in Koblitz's paper, along with words of caution regarding the somewhat rash use of the words and phrases 'proof' and 'provable security', when, from a pure maths point of view, these 'proofs of security' are not absolute, but rather defined with regard to specific notions regarding the capabilities of an adversary.

In particular, in the area I am working in (lightweight cryptography), such 'proofs' are of limited use or relevance.

Don't get me wrong - 'provable security' is elegant in it's own way, and makes for an interesting read (if a bit turgid at times). But there is a real and vindicated danger that it can lure outsiders (and insiders) into a false and dangerous sense of security regarding cryptographic constructions.

On Linear and Differential Cryptanalysis

I get the feeling that there is a possibility of combining (in some way) linear and differential cryptanalysis to form a more powerful strategy or set of strategies.

I actually find it hard to comprehend that Linear Cryptanalysis was not discovered (publicly at least) before 1993 (when Mitsuru Matsui published his paper on attacking DES).

The Vespa PX is back!!!

This made me feel the joy the other day - the iconic Vespa PX from the 70s is re-entering production!

Vespa stopped making it a few years back - I felt unlucky at the time that I was too young to have the money to buy one - but this time round? Ha - it's a strong possibility.

http://www.uk.vespa.com/en_UK/vespa/px/default.aspx

They are just beautiful!

No other 2-wheeled machine can compare...

And, surprisingly, they are still keeping a 2-stroke engine! No eurocrat-induced 4-stroke crap here...

The New Life

It's been ages since I updated this blog, but many things have changed.

I'm now a full-time PhD student in the department of Mathematics, Royal Holloway College, University of London.

I'm working on research into lightweight cryptography, courtesy of the UK taxpayer (via the EPSRC) .

Should I feel guilty about being funded for 3 years by the government and then planning to jump ship and contribute to the Taiwanese economy instead? Maybe, but I don't haha. I really feel the UK is such an unpleasant place to live now on so many levels that I feel very little sympathy towards the plight and future plight of my country.

Mickey and I are happier than ever - she is currently working in Taiwan, but she is moving back to the UK later this year to be with me - something I can never thank her enough for doing.

Well maybe I can, because the plan is for us to move back to Taiwan once I finish the PhD and for us to live there.

I don't think either of us realised how taxing it is to maintain a long-distance relationship.

Even for the strongest and closest couples, maintaining a long-distance relationship is not something that comes naturally - it requires constant attention and care to nurture and keep it alive...