Exploring Quantum and Post-Quantum Cryptography

On March 24th, we'll bring Verónica Fernández and Luis Hernández, two experts to talk about both Quantum and Post-Quantum Cryptography. Regarding Quantum Cryptography, we will go through the relevant aspects for the experimental implementation of QKD protocols, with special emphasis on transmission through free-space channels, both for terrestrial and satellite applications. We will also overview the global situation and future prospects of the Quantum Communication field. And about Post-Quantum Cryptography, we will present the main threats that the development of quantum computing can pose to cryptography as we know it today. The current state of the NIST international process for the standardization of post-quantum algorithms for asymmetric encryption, key exchange, and digital signature will be described. Those algorithms, implemented on current computers, will be quantum resistant. Speakers: Verónica Fernández Mármol is a Tenured Scientist at CSIC, where she works in the Group of Cryptography and Information Security (GiCSI), at the Institute of Physical and Information Technologies from CSIC (ITEFI). Veronica leads the Quantum Communication subgroup, where the main research line is experimental quantum key distribution systems in free-space transmission channels for high-speed metropolitan applications, and related technologies, such as beam and polarization tracking systems for atmospheric channels. She has published more than 50 scientific contributions in the field, is the co-coordinator of the Quantum Technologies Platform from CSIC, and advisory committee of optical satellite communication programs for the European Space Agency (ESA). Her topics of research include QKD for airborne and satellite communications, discrete and continuous variables QKD in free-space and novel protocols such as measurement device independent QKD protocols in air. Luis Hernández Encinas is a researcher at the Department of Information and Communication Technologies (TIC) at the Institute of Physical and Information Technologies (ITEFI), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in Madrid (Spain). He obtained his Ph.D. in Mathematics at the University of Salamanca (Spain) in 1992. He has participated in more than 40 research projects. He is author of 11 books, 9 patents, more than 150 papers, more than 120 contributions to workshops and conferences. He has delivered more than 50 seminars and lectures and belong to the several international Committees about Cryptography and Cybersecurity. His current research interests include Pre-and Post-Quantum Cryptography and Cryptanalysis, Pseudorandom number generators, Digital signature schemes, Authentication and Identification protocols, Crypto-Biometry, Side channel attacks, and Number Theory problems.