Mathematics Colloquium



Department of Mathematics
University of Nebraska at Omaha


WHEN:
Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 2:30 PM

WHERE:
Durham Science Center 115

WHAT:


Dr. Cliff Bergman

Iowa State University


will give a talk on

The Mathematics of Secrecy: An Introduction to Public-key Cryptography


ABSTRACT:
Cryptography, the science of secret communications, was, for thousands of years, the exclusive domain of military and diplomatic investigation. With the advent of digital communications however, cryptographic techniques have become an essential component in every software toolbox.

In this talk I will survey the field and explain the difference between "symmetric" and "public-key" cryptosystems, discuss one of the most popular ciphers (RSA) and outline some of the interesting mathematical and computer-science problems confronting cryptographers today. The talk should be accessible to any undergraduate with an interest in mathematical topics.



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