IACR News
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13 February 2019
Junichi Tomida
We first construct a new IPFE scheme that is tightly secure in the multi-user and multi-challenge setting. In other words, the security of our scheme does not degrade even if an adversary obtains many ciphertexts generated by many users. Our scheme is constructible on a pairing-free group and secure under the matrix decisional Diffie-Hellman (MDDH) assumption, which is the generalization of the decisional Diffie-Hellman (DDH) assumption. Applying the known conversions by Lin (CRYPTO 2017) and Abdalla et al. (CRYPTO 2018) to our scheme, we can obtain the first tightly secure function-hiding IPFE scheme and multi-input IPFE (MIPFE) scheme respectively.
Our second main contribution is the proposal of a new generic conversion from function-hiding IPFE to function-hiding MIPFE, which was left as an open problem by Abdalla et al. (CRYPTO 2018). We can obtain the first tightly secure function-hiding MIPFE scheme by applying our conversion to the tightly secure function-hiding IPFE scheme described above.
Finally, the security reductions of all our schemes are fully tight, which means that the security of our schemes is reduced to the MDDH assumption with a constant security loss.
Avijit Dutta, Mridul Nandi, Suprita Talnikar
AmirHossein E. Moghaddam, Zahra Ahmadian
12 February 2019
Maheswara Rao Valluri
Douglas Wikström
Then we argue that the provable security paradigm remains sound in applications provided that assumptions are made with care. We also strengthen the argument for the study of combiners and constructions based on generic assumptions, and transparent standardization processes in applied cryptography.
Liliya Akhmetzyanova, Evgeny Alekseev, Grigory Karpunin, Vladislav Nozdrunov
Santosh Ghosh, Rafael Misoczki, Manoj R. Sastry
Santosh Ghosh, Andrew H. Reinders, Rafael Misoczki, Manoj R. Sastry
Keita Xagawa
In this short note, we investigate the security of the RQCS scheme. We report a key-recovery known-message attack by following the discussion in Aragon, Blazy, Gaborit, Hauteville, and Zémor (Cryptology ePrint Archive 2018/1192) and an experimental result. The key-recovery attack requires only one signature to retrieve a secret key and recovers a key less than 10 seconds.
Ariel Gabizon
Iris Anshel, Derek Atkins, Dorian Goldfeld, Paul E Gunnells
11 February 2019
Zagreb, Croatia, 10 May - 14 May 2020
07 February 2019
IBM Research GmbH Zurich, Switzerland
The group is active both in developing key technologies that ship with IBM products and in maintaining a strong academic research profile and has a dual focus on blockchain and on system security. In particular, the group is part of the core team that designs and develops Hyperledger Fabric, the popular open source blockchain platform.
This is an excellent opportunity for highly qualified and creative candidates with an ambition to work with an international team of researchers in a world-class industrial research organization.
Requirements
Candidates are expected to have the following background and interests
· A Master\'s degree in Computer Science or a closely related discipline
· strong knowledge of programming languages (in particular C/C++, and optionally golang, bash, python)
· strong skills and experience in system-level programming, large distributed systems, and optionally blockchain
· experience with open source projects and a strong understanding of DevOps
· ability to manage multiple and changing priorities
· fluency in English
The position is available immediately. The successful candidate will enjoy an internationally competitive salary and work in a collaborative and creative group in an exclusive research environment.
Diversity
IBM is committed to diversity at the workplace. We offer a diverse, independent professional activity, with experienced colleagues in a friendly atmosphere on our campus.
You will find a dynamic, multi-cultural environment, and flexible work conditions.
How to apply
Please send your CV including contact information for references and Ref No. 2019_001
to:
Judith Blanc
HR Business Partner
IBM Research — Zurich
Säumerstrasse 4
8803 Rüschlikon
Switzerland
email: jko (at) zurich.ibm.com
For technical information, please contact:
Dr. Andreas Kind, Manager Industry Solutions and Blockchain
email:ank (at) zurich.ibm.com.
Closing date for applications: 31 July 2019
More information: https://www.zurich.ibm.com/careers/
IBM Research GmbH Zurich, Switzerland
Project description
We research and develop scalable, fault-tolerant and secure distributed and blockchain systems that drive a new generation of financial and digital transactions.
We are looking for highly motivated and enthusiastic software engineers and distributed systems researchers to join the Industry Platforms and Blockchain Group at IBM Research – Zurich. You will be expected to contribute to the architecture definition and implementation in our blockchain projects, notably their aspects pertaining to distributed systems. You will be able to directly contribute and make impact not only on IBM products, but also on the Hyperledger Fabric open source project. The researchers in the group have deep expertise and knowledge in scalable, fault-tolerant and secure distributed systems. Software to be developed will be included in critical production system and is expected to be of high quality, modularity, maintainability, scalability, and resilience.
Closing date for applications: 31 July 2019
Contact: Judith Blanc
HR Business Partner
Säumerstrasse 4
8803 Rüschlikon
Switzerland
jko (at) zurich.ibm.com
More information: https://www.zurich.ibm.com/careers/
DTU Compute’s Section for Cyber Security
The aim of the new position is to expand the Section’s research in symmetric cryptology and align it with potential novel threats.
The research field of this new Postdoc position is within analysis and design of symmetric cryptographic algorithms, both basic primitives and modes of operation. Correspondingly, we aim to hire a postdoc with a track record in symmetric cryptography and cryptanalysis.
Responsibilities and tasks
The main tasks of the postdoc position are to analyze existing symmetric cryptographic primitives as well as to design and evaluate new primitives to address novel challenges. In this position, you will actively engage in our ongoing and prospective research activities on analysis and design of block ciphers, hash functions, authentication schemes and authentication encryption.
External stays are planned at our research partners in Europe.
Qualifications
Candidates should have a PhD degree (or equivalent) within mathematics, computer science or electric engineering with a focus on cryptology or a closely related field. If you are close to completing your PhD studies, your application will also be considered. You must have contributed with high-quality research to the area of cryptology or a closely related field.
Application procedure
Please submit your online application no later than 1 March 2019 (local time). Apply online at www.career.dtu.dk
Read the full job description at
https://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/vacant-positions/job?id=1804831b-d132-4570-b6e6-46324b1a14c7
Closing date for applications: 1 March 2019
Contact: Further information can be obtained from Assoc. Prof. Andrey Bogdanov (anbog (at) dtu.dk). Please do not send applications to this e-mail address.
More information: https://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/vacant-positions/job?id=1804831b-d132-4570-b6e6-46324b1a14c7
Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT), Queen’s University Belfast, UK
Students will be based in the Centre for Secure Information Technology (CSIT), Queens University Belfast. CSIT is recognised by the UK National Cyber Security Centre as an Academic Centre of Excellence (ACE) in Cyber Security Research. It is also host to the UK Research Institute in Secure Hardware and Embedded Systems (RISE).
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
A minimum 2.1 honours degree or equivalent in Computer Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mathematics or closely related discipline is required.
Available to eligible UK and EU citizens only.
Applicants should apply electronically through the Queen’s online application portal at: https://dap.qub.ac.uk/portal/
Closing date for applications: 8 March 2019
Contact: Professor Maire O\'Neill,Email: m.oneill AT ecit.qub.ac.uk
More information: https://www.qub.ac.uk/csit/PhD-in-Cyber-Security-Centre-for-Doctoral-Training/PhDResearchProjects2019/
ConsenSys (PegaSys)
The Role
We are seeking applied researchers from a variety of backgrounds who are able to think deeply and creatively about protocol-level blockchain challenges and translate that work into practical outputs for PegaSys, enterprises seeking to use Ethereum and the wider blockchain community.
The Profile We are Seeking
- Computer Science, Mathematics or Physics Master degree. PhD is a bonus.
- Strong familiarity with advanced computer science and mathematical concepts
- Expertise in using formal verification tools especially in the context of analysing distributed systems
- Capable of articulating theories and related proof in a language suitable for scientific publication. Track record of previous scientific publications is a bonus.
- Well versed in analysing existing code in a number of languages including Java, Go, Rust, etc.
- Capable of deep and creative thinking.
- Have a drive for excellence and quality
- Passionate about blockchain consensus protocol research and blockchain technology in general
- Previous experience either in leading small/medium teams or as member of well-functioning self-organising teams
- Willing collaborator: swift to seek support and advice; equally ready to give support and advice to others.
- Comfortable with working remotely, and will make progress without supervision while proactively keeping in contact with other remote collaborators.
Closing date for applications: 31 July 2019
Contact: Roberto Saltini
More information: https://consensys.net/open-roles/1522894/
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
We are soliciting candidates to have an introductory knowledge in cryptography and strong background in digital/system design, including relevant experience in managing large-scale programming projects in C/C++/VHDL/Verilog. Candidates with prior industrial experience and familiarity with commercial processor architectures are preferred.
Review of applications starts immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
Closing date for applications:
University College London
PhD and Post-Doc Positions on Privacy Technologies at UCL
I have funding for 2-3 PhD studentships and 1 post-doctoral positions (24 months) in my group at UCL Computer Science to work on research problems at the intersection of privacy and machine learning.
For an overview of my work in this area, please visithttps://emilianodc.com/privacyML/
FUNDING
These positions are funded by a mix of industry grants, thanks to the generous support of Amazon, Cisco, Microsoft Research, and the UK Government.
UCL DOCTORAL TRAINING CENTRE IN CYBERSECURITY
Moreover, we have recently been awarded funding for a Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) in Cybersecurity (see https://epsrc.ukri.org/newsevents/news/seventy-five-centres-for-doctoral-training-announced-by-ukri-to-develop-the-skills-needed-for-uk-prosperity/) so *additional* positions will be funded through the centre.
Other researchers working on security and privacy at UCL include: Nicolas Courtois, George Danezis, Sarah Meiklejohn, Steven Murdoch, Angela Sasse, plus a couple more faculty that we are in the process of recruiting. The Centre will have a strongly interdisciplinary focus, and will involve colleagues in the Crime Science (e.g., Shane Johnson) and Public Policy (e.g., Madeline Carr).
DATES AND ELIGIBILITY
The PhD students will start in September/October 2019. Alas, some of the funding is limited to people who have lived in the UK for at least 3 years prior to the start of the PhD.
The post-doctoral research should start in the summer and have already completed their PhD or about to.
APPLICATION
For both the PhD and the post-doc positions, please send an email to jobs (at) emilianodc.com if you are interested.
For the PhD positions, you will also have to apply through http://www.cs.ucl.ac.uk/prospective_students/phd_programme/applying/ (even though the next deadline is April 17th, please apply ASAP).
Closing date for applications: 30 April 2019
Contact: Emiliano De Cristofaro, Associate Professor at UCL
jobs (at) emilianodc.com
More information: https://emilianodc.com/positions.html
Auckland, New Zealand, 7 July 2019
Submission deadline: 15 February 2019
Notification: 10 April 2019