Cryptographic Systems Based on Coding Theory

Dear Colleagues,

The importance of code-based cryptography is evidenced by designation of the Classic McEliece [1] construction as one of the PKE/KEM finalists (3rd round) of the post-quantum standardization process organized by NIST [2]. At the same time, this area of cryptography faces a number of research challenges, such as the design of some practical code-based primitives, including digital signatures and homomorphic encryption, as well as expanding the range of cryptographic functionalities based on coding to include, e.g., identity-based encryption. In recent years, a number of promising code-based proposals have been introduced based on MDPC/LDPC codes, rank-metric codes, random codes, as well as a related “learning parity with noise” (LPN) problem, and others. All these schemes require thorough security evaluation to be considered for the practical domain, in particular with respect to resistance against quantum cryptanalysis.

This Special Issue is planned as a venue for presenting research works on the design and cryptanalysis of code-based cryptographic systems, their security and performance evaluation, their hardware and software implementations, as well as applicable results and techniques from coding theory.

The goal of this issue is to advance this significant area of post-quantum cryptography, and to discuss new applications of coding theory to various areas of cryptography.

[1] Classic McEliece. https://classic.mceliece.org/

[2] NIST Post-Quantum Cryptography Standardization. https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/post-quantum-cryptography/post-quantum-cryptography-standardization

Areas of interest include but are not limited to:
* Code-based public key encryption (PKE) and digital signature schemes.
* Cryptanalysis and security evaluation of code-based cryptosystems,
   including quantum cryptanalysis
* Implementation of code-based cryptosystems in software and hardware
* Standardization of code-based cryptosystems
* Homomorphic encryption based on coding
* Applications of MDPC/LDPC codes to cryptography
* Applications of rank-metric codes to cryptography
* Identification schemes based on LPN and coding
* Zero-knowledge proof systems for code-based functionalities
* Group, ring, threshold and multi-signatures based on coding
* Symmetric ciphers based on coding
* Bit commitment and oblivious transfer based on coding

Dr. Kirill Morozov
Guest Editor

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• Post-quantum cryptography
• Code-based cryptography
• Cryptographic protocols
• Quantum cryptanalysis
• Applications of coding theory