WORLDCOMP'08 Tutorial: Mehrdad S. Sharbaf

Exploration of Quantum Cryptography in Network Security Mehrdad S. Sharbaf Sharbaf & Associates/Founder/Principal Senior Consultant USA Date: July 15, 2008 Time: 6:00 - 9:30 PM Location: Ballroom 3

Abstract



Threats and attacks to information systems security on digital network environment are growing rapidly, putting pressure on businesses to protect their tangible and intangible assets. It is reported that 75% of surveyed organizations have confronted different network security attacks. For that reason, cryptography is a vital of today’s computer and communications networks, protecting everything from business e-mail to bank transactions and internet shopping. But the scholars argue that, the current encryption algorithms based on mathematical model introduce potential security holes related to the key refresh rate and key expansion ratio, the most crucial parameters in the security of any cryptographic techniques. These cryptographic techniques are widely used but are not proved to be completely secure, representing one of the main threats to modern network communication systems. For past decade efforts have been made to establish new foundation for cryptography science in the computer communications networks. One of these efforts has led to the development of quantum cryptography technology, whose security relies on the laws of quantum mechanics.



Objectives



Upon completion of this tutorial, you should be able to:


• Understand the goals of network security
• Determine the factors involved in a secure network strategy
• Understand the basics of algorithms and how they are used in modern cryptography
• Identify the differences between asymmetric and symmetric algorithms
• Have a basic understanding of the concepts of cryptography and how they relate to network security
• Understand the implications of key management and a certificate’s lifecycle
• Understanding of the quantum cryptography

Intended Audience



This tutorial is intended for scientists, engineers, technical managers, and graduate students who are interested to learn about quantum cryptography in network security solutions.


Biography of Instructor



Mehrdad S. Sharbaf background included more than fifteen year's experience in industry and academic environments, focusing on system integration, reengineering information processing, hardware infrastructure, designing information technology, perform systems-level trade studies, design review preparation and system testing, consulting, researching, teaching, and training. Academically, Mehrdad has a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering emphasizing in computer communications networking, and working on his Ph.D. degree in information systems discipline at Nova Southeastern University. He has gained more than 15 years of teaching experience at various educational institutions such as UCLA Extension, Loyola Marymount University (LMU) CSULB, CSULA, DeVRY University, American Intercontinental University, Keller Graduate School of Management, and National University. Prior to establishing his consulting business, Mehrdad spent more than 11 years as a senior staff at Teledyne Electronics Technologies. At Teledyne he received a corporate award for reengineering information process within manufacturing environment to achieve business objectives. He is the founder of Sharbaf & Associates firm. His consulting firm is specializing in Enterprise Network Design, Network Security, and Strategy Management Technology and Innovation. He is an active senior member of IEEE Society, and participating in various events. His research interests are in computer systems security, computer communications networking, quantum information networks, quantum cryptography, and quantum information processing.