Quantum Cryptography and Computing Workshop being held at the Fields Institute, October 2-6, 2006.
The organizers are Richard Cleve (IQC & PI, Waterloo), Claude Crépeau(McGill), Michele Mosca (IQC & PI, Waterloo).
This workshop addresses the various ways quantum information processing affects cryptography. Firstly, quantum information processing enables a fundamentally new kind of cryptography that takes advantage of the eavesdropper detectability that is intrinsic to quantum mechanics. Some of these new quantum cryptographic protocols can be implemented with technologies that are currently available, in particular, quantum key distribution. Others have more demanding technological requirements such as quantum memory or even a quantum computer. Furthermore, quantum computing allows a broader range of crypt analytic attacks.
Although most optimists believe it will take many years to build large-scale quantum computers capable of implementing these attacks, these new quantum attacks need to be considered today when assessing the long-term security of information protected with existing cryptographic tools. These new algorithmic capabilities also need to be considered when designing a new cryptographic infrastructure secure against quantum attacks.
Topics to be covered in this workshop include:
- Security of quantum key distribution
- Other quantum cryptographic protocols
- Quantum algorithms and their impact on cryptography
This workshop is part of a Fields Institute semester-long thematic program on cryptography, whose organizers include IQC Deputy Director Michele Mosca and Associate Member Alfred Menezes (Director of the UW Centre for Cryptographic Research). Registration for this workshop is now open.