Elementary Number Theory Cryptography And Codes

In this volume one finds basic techniques from algebra and number theory (e.g. congruences, unique factorization domains, finite fields, quadratic residues, primality tests, continued fractions, etc.) which in recent years have proven to be extremely useful for applications to cryptography and coding theory.

These are the proceedings of the Conference on Coding Theory, Cryptography, and Number Theory held at the U. S. Naval Academy during October 25-26, 1998. This book concerns elementary and advanced aspects of coding theory and cryptography. The coding theory contributions deal mostly with algebraic coding theory. Some of these papers are expository, whereas others are the result of original research. The emphasis is on geometric Goppa codes (Shokrollahi, Shokranian-Joyner), but there is also a paper on codes arising from combinatorial constructions (Michael). There are both, historical and mathematical papers on cryptography. Several of the contributions on cryptography describe the work done by the British and their allies during World War II to crack the German and Japanese ciphers (Hamer, Hilton, Tutte, Weierud, Urling). Some mathematical aspects of the Enigma rotor machine (Sherman) and more recent research on quantum cryptography (Lomonoco) are described. There are two papers concerned with the RSA cryptosystem and related number-theoretic issues (Wardlaw, Cosgrave).

The protection of sensitive information against unauthorized access or fraudulent changes has been of prime concern throughout the centuries. Modern communication techniques, using computers connected through networks, make all data even more vulnerable to these threats. In addition, new issues have surfaced that did not exist previously, e.g. adding a signature to an electronic document. Cryptology addresses the above issues - it is at the foundation of all information security. The techniques employed to this end have become increasingly mathematical in nature.