Cryptography Made Simple

1. Modern Cryptography Basics

   1. Cryptography Based on Really Hard Problems

      • Nigel P. Smart

      Pages 349-367

   2. Certificates, Key Transport and Key Agreement

      • Nigel P. Smart

      Pages 369-399

2. Advanced Protocols

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 401-401

      PDF

   2. Secret Sharing Schemes

      • Nigel P. Smart

      Pages 403-416

   3. Commitments and Oblivious Transfer

      • Nigel P. Smart

      Pages 417-424

   4. Zero-Knowledge Proofs

      • Nigel P. Smart

      Pages 425-438

   5. Secure Multi-party Computation

      • Nigel P. Smart

      Pages 439-450

3. Back Matter

   Pages 451-481

   PDF

In this introductory textbook the author explains the key topics in cryptography. He takes a modern approach, where defining what is meant by "secure" is as important as creating something that achieves that goal, and security definitions are central to the discussion throughout.


The author balances a largely non-rigorous style — many proofs are sketched only — with appropriate formality and depth. For example, he uses the terminology of groups and finite fields so that the reader can understand both the latest academic research and "real-world" documents such as application programming interface descriptions and cryptographic standards. The text employs colour to distinguish between public and private information, and all chapters include summaries and suggestions for further reading.


This is a suitable textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in computer science, mathematics and engineering, and for self-study byprofessionals in information security. While the appendix summarizes most of the basic algebra and notation required, it is assumed that the reader has a basic knowledge of discrete mathematics, probability, and elementary calculus.

• Block Ciphers
• Digital Signatures
• Discrete Logarithms
• Elliptic Curves
• Finite Fields
• Hash Functions
• Historical Ciphers
• Information-Theoretic Security
• Key Exchange
• Message Authentication Codes
• Primality Testing
• Provable Security
• Public-Key Cryptography
• Secure Multiparty Computation
• Stream Ciphers
• Symmetric-Key Cryptography
• The Enigma Machine

“The goal of cryptography is to obfuscate data for unintended recipients. … The book is divided into four parts. … The book is very comprehensive, and very accessible for dedicated students.” (Klaus Galensa, Computing Reviews, computingreviews.com, October, 2016)

“Cryptography made simple is a textbook that provides a broad coverage of topics that form an essential working knowledge for the contemporary cryptographer. It is particularly suited to introducing graduate and advanced undergraduate students in computer science to the concepts necessary for understanding academic cryptography and its impact on real-world practice, though it will also be useful for mathematicians or engineers wishing to gain a similar perspective on this material.” (Maura Beth Paterson, Mathematical Reviews, July, 2016)

“This is a very thorough introduction to cryptography, aimed at lower-division undergraduates. It is an engineering textbook that uses modern mathematical terminology (such as groups and finite fields). … Bottom line: really for engineers, and a useful book if used carefully; the organization makes is easy to get overwhelmed by the background material before you get to the 'good stuff', and even the good stuff has an overwhelming amount of detail.” (Allen Stenger, MAA Reviews, maa.org, June, 2016)

“This very thorough book by Smart (Univ. of Bristol, UK) is aimed at graduate students and advanced undergraduates in mathematics and computer science and intended to serve as a bridge to research papers in the field. … Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals/practitioners.” (C. Bauer, Choice, Vol. 53 (10), June, 2016)

• Computer Science Dept, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom

  Nigel P. Smart

Nigel P. Smart is a professor of computer science in the University of Bristol. He is a leading cryptographer, with particular expertise in elliptic curve cryptography, pairing-based cryptography, and multi-party computation. Among his achievements and recognition, he received a Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award, he is currently the Vice President of the International Association for Cryptologic Research (IACR), and he has chaired the most important academic conferences in this discipline. Beyond his academic experience he also worked in industry (HP Laboratories), and he has cofounded a number of startups, most recently Dyadic Security, a company that deploys distributed cryptographic solutions based on multi-party computations. Prof. Smart was made a Fellow of the IACR in 2016 for essential contributions to the theory and practice of real-world cryptography and outstanding service to the association.

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