The Claude Shannon Institute Overview

Tom DowlingDecember 2009

www.shannoninstitute.ie

IFIF 09 Dr. T. Dowling

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The institute• Funded by SFI mathematics initiative 2006-2011• Inter Disciplinary proposal

– Engineering– Mathematics– Computer Science

• Originally Cryptography and Coding theory– Branched into Information security

• Size– 14 University Staff in four locations– 22 PhD students– 13 Postdoctoral Researchers

IFIF 09 Dr. T. Dowling

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Main Research areas• Cryptography

– Elliptic Curve Cryptography• NSA suite B standards

– Pairing based Cryptography• Speed records

– Post Quantum Cryptography• Quantum resistant systems

• Information security– Key distribution problems

• Efficient self healing key management in wireless networks– DRM problems– Easy to use systems

IFIF 09 Dr. T. Dowling

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Opportunities in the FI• Wider adoption of Elliptic and Pairing systems

– Speed and footprints, certificate reduction, wireless adoption, ….

• Influencing standards– NSA suite B, new generation of hash functions,…..

• Future proofing the internet– PQC, reduce the reliance on factorization and DLP systems,…

• Develop security competence– Support and consolidate the excellent security research done here– Dedicated security courses at third level ( IT sector ahead of the game)– Closer interaction with industry (ISSA )

• Broaden the security landscape– Law, Economics, Psychology, Management,…….