New standardizations encryption created by Mathematics alumni and researchers

As we enter the digital age and work to harness the potential of quantum computing, there is an increase in risk of new forms of cyber-attacks. To prepare for these attacks, The United States National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) called on cryptographers to create new algorithms to protect government and industry communications from attacks by quantum computing. Among the 69 submissions of different algorithms was the CRYSTALS-Kyber standardization for general encryption co-authored by John Schnack. 

Schnack completed his Master of Mathematics along with his PhD with the department of Combinatorics and Optimization with a focus on cryptography and quantum information. Along with Schnack, Combinatorics and Optimization Professor David Jao’s submission was also selected as he is the co-inventor and project lead for SIKE (Supersingular Isogeny Key Encapsulation). These selections are made for standardization for general encryption to protect against the threats that are highlighted by quantum computing.  

To read more about Schnack, Jao and the other cryptographic standardizations, visit the Math news article.