Modern cryptology. A tutorial (Q1188527)

This book is an excellent survey on the methods of modern cryptology. It is based on a 3 1/2 hour tutorial, which has been given by the author at the 29th IEEE Computer Conference 1987 in San Francisco. The book consists of 6 chapters. Chapter 1 contains an introduction with historical remarks. In chapter 2 the basic definitions and classifications of cryptosystems are given. In chapter 3 some classical secret-key cryptosystems such as one-time-pad and Data Encryption Standard are presented, and the levels of attack as well as the methods of confusion and diffusion and several modes of operation are explained. In chapter 4 the notion of public-key cryptosystem is introduced and the RSA-cryptosystem is described, which is the most common system of this type. Furthermore, methods of public-key distribution, pseudo-random bit generation and probabilistic encryption are discussed. Chapter 5 is devoted to applications such as authentication, digital signature, user identification, coin flipping, bit commitment schemes, minimum disclosure proofs and protection of privacy. Parts of this chapter are written with co-authors (D. Chaum, C. Crépeau, C. Goutier). Chapter 6 on quantum cryptography is based on the research work of the author and C. H. Bennett. For the understanding of the book no specific mathematical pre-knowledge is necessary. The emphasis is on presenting the main ideas, most proofs are omitted. The book will be of interest for computer scientists as well as for mathematicians. Although it is self-contained and can be understood by readers having no previous acquaintance with crypotology, it covers enough material for the specialist. An extensive bibliography is included.