The class will be run as a combination of lectures and research seminar. It will focus on two areas:

1. Cryptographic foundations of various security protocols. This will include explaining the mathematical results that are used, with proofs kept to the barest minimum. The cryptographic algorithms and protocols covered will mostly be selected from the list: key exchange, authentication, secret sharing, digital signatures, timestamping services, subliminal channels, undeniable signatures, bit commitment, coin flipping on the telephone, all or nothing disclosure of secrets, zero knowledge proofs, digital certified mail, elections, digital cash, DES, RSA, key management, compromised key handling
2. Selected papers/research directions of current interest, some covered by outside security experts and researchers.