An aperitif on modern cryptography

Abstract

This talk introduces the ancient origins of problems that are still relevant today (key exchange problem, Kerchkoffs' principle, etc), building up to the modern notion of foundations of cryptography. The target is a beginner but interested audience.

Notes

This talk was held

• at PhD Day 2025, organised by Università di Torino and Politecnico di Torino.
• at Collegio Bernardo Clesio, University of Trento, with a more lenient approach to theory.

Material

• slides for Politecnico di Torino
• slides for Collegio Clesio
• extra material: The Codebreakers