A Graduate Course in Applied Cryptography (crypto.stanford.edu)

Article summary

A graduate course in applied cryptography is being offered, with a comprehensive table of contents covering various topics in cryptography. The course material is available in draft form, with versions dating back to 2008. The course is taught by Dan Boneh and Victor Shoup, and is considered challenging, requiring a strong understanding of number theory and probability theory. The course covers topics such as encryption, digital signatures, and post-quantum cryptography.

Main themes

• applied cryptography
• graduate course
• post-quantum cryptography
• number theory
• cryptography education

What commenters say

• The course is extremely challenging and requires a strong foundation in number theory and probability theory. Some post-quantum cryptosystems, such as NewHope, may outperform current public key crypto schemes, but their security against quantum computers is not yet proven. The development of quantum computers is progressing rapidly, but it may take some time before they become a threat to cryptography. The concept of 'proving' security in cryptography is not always useful, as it is possible for a cryptosystem to be broken even if it is based on a secure problem. Quantum computers have not yet been able to break any significant cryptography, and are currently only able to solve contrived problems. The performance of post-quantum cryptosystems is improving, and some may be suitable for use even before their security is fully proven. The threat of quantum computers to cryptography is real, but it is still unclear when they will become a significant threat.