Cryptography
Public key encryption, digital signatures, and key exchange are the core of modern information systems, payment systems, and the global communications infrastructure. However, no single method of encryption is unbreakable. The Crypto Focus Group has originated from the genuine need to exchange implementation practices and user experiences on the available solutions in the market.
Objectives
The objectives of the Crypto Focus Group are twofold:
- Information sharing about day-to-day experiences in using cryptography and related security products and systems, with the purpose to create and foster a vibrant community of experts and technology users that benefit from each other’s experience shared in a confidential environment.
- Innovation exploration: developing interest in new cryptographic threats, new and emerging cryptographic and related technologies, research and innovation.
Considering the limited budgets, practitioners experience difficulties in striking a good balance between the investments to be done and achieving the best possible algorithm protection. The Crypto Focus Group aims at supporting them by leveraging the available knowledge in the member community. There is a growing awareness in organizations that crypto agility is of vital importance for data security. Crypto agility is also key to postquantum security.
Topics
The activities of the Crypto Focus Group are structured around four themes: Cryptographic algorithms, PKI, Key & Certificate management and Cryptography training.
Topics covered include a.o. HSM incorporating SMPC, data sovereignty in the cloud, crypto agility, quantum cryptography, whitebox crypto, machine identity management, cryptography challenges in an enterprise; privacy enhancing technologies, the state of quantum hacking, open cloud technologies supporting efficient crypto in the cloud, and data privacy in the public cloud.
Cryptographic algorithms
PKI (Public Key Infrastructure)
Key & certificate management
Cryptography training
Practices
The Focus Group generally convenes in person on a quarterly basis.
Occasionally external experts are invited to present specific topics.
How to join the group
Admission is subject to Coalition membership.The Focus Group appeals to the following profiles:
- Academic researchers conducting research in cryptography
- Industry experts having experience in developing and using cryptographic systems
- Government officials responsible for developing and implementing cryptography policies
