Foundations of Cryptography: Volume 1, Basic Tools by Oded Goldreich (English) P

Publisher Description

Cryptography is concerned with the conceptualization, definition and construction of computing systems that address security concerns. The design of cryptographic systems must be based on firm foundations. This book presents a rigorous and systematic treatment of the foundational issues: defining cryptographic tasks and solving new cryptographic problems using existing tools. It focuses on the basic mathematical tools: computational difficulty (one-way functions), pseudorandomness and zero-knowledge proofs. The emphasis is on the clarification of fundamental concepts and on demonstrating the feasibility of solving cryptographic problems, rather than on describing ad-hoc approaches. The book is suitable for use in a graduate course on cryptography and as a reference book for experts. The author assumes basic familiarity with the design and analysis of algorithms; some knowledge of complexity theory and probability is also useful.

Notes

Cryptography concerns constructing computing systems that address security concerns. The design of cryptographic systems must be based on firm foundations and this book focuses on the basic mathematical tools needed: computational difficulty (one-way functions), pseudorandomness and zero-knowledge proofs. The emphasis is to clarify fundamental concepts, and to demonstrate the feasibility of solving several central cryptographic problems. The book is suitable for graduate cryptography courses and as a reference for experts, and assumes basic familiarity with design and analysis of algorithms; knowledge of complexity theory and probability would also be useful.

Table of Contents

List of figures; Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Computational difficulty; 3. Pseudorandom generators; 4. Zero-knowledge proof systems; Appendix A: background in computational number theory; Appendix B: brief outline of volume 2; Bibliography; Index.

Review

'The written style is excellent and natural, making the text rather comfortable to read even on quite advanced topics. The book is suitable for students in a graduate course on cryptography, and is also a useful reference text for experts.' The Mathematical Gazette "[Foundations of Cryptography: Basic Tools] presents complexity research which gives the mathematical underpinnings for cryptography; this includes one-way functions, pseudorandom generators, and zero-knowledge proofs...if a reader wants to learn about foundational work, Goldreich's books are the place to go."
Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society "...well-written..."
Zentralblatt MATH "Foundations of Cryptography contains what is currently the best published treatment of the formal aspects of modern cryptography and serves as "required reading" for anyone interested in the field... Throughout, definitions are complete and detailed; proofs are rigorous and given in full... Th book remains a "must-read' for all graduate students and researchers interested in this area, and is well-suited for an advanced course. Kudos to the author for publishing the first book which truly covers modern cryptography, and for doing an excellent job of it!"
Jonathan Katz, University of Maryland for SIGACT News

Review Quote

"...well-written..." Zentralblatt MATH

Promotional "Headline"

Focuses on the basic mathematical tools needed for cryptographic design: computational difficulty (one-way functions), pseudorandomness and zero-knowledge proofs.

Description for Bookstore

The design of cryptographic systems must be based on firm foundations. This book focuses on the basic mathematical tools needed for cryptographic design: computational difficulty (one-way functions), pseudorandomness and zero-knowledge proofs. Suitable for use in a graduate course, the book's emphasis is on the clarification of fundamental concepts, and on demonstrating the feasibility of solving important cryptographic problems.

Description for Library

The design of cryptographic systems must be based on firm foundations. This book focuses on the basic mathematical tools needed for cryptographic design: computational difficulty (one-way functions), pseudorandomness and zero-knowledge proofs. Suitable for use in a graduate course, the book's emphasis is on the clarification of fundamental concepts, and on demonstrating the feasibility of solving important cryptographic problems.

Details