Future cryptography Design Lab. (FDL)

The Future cryptography Design Laboratory (FDL) conducts research on post-quantum cryptography and software protection techniques.

The public-key cryptographic systems currently in use are largely based on either the integer factorization problem or the discrete logarithm problem. However, in 1994, Peter Shor demonstrated that both problems can be solved in polynomial time using the principles of quantum mechanics. This breakthrough created an urgent need for new cryptographic schemes that remain secure even against quantum computers. Such cryptographic systems are known as post-quantum or quantum-safe cryptography.

In 2022, FDL developed a code-based key encapsulation mechanism called PALOMA, which was accepted for presentation at the international conference on code-based cryptography (CBCrypto 2023). PALOMA was also selected as a Round 2 candidate in the Korean Post-Quantum Cryptography Competition.

The name PALOMA, meaning “dove” in Spanish, was chosen because the role of a KEM resembles that of a carrier pigeon, securely delivering secret information between parties.

The figure below shows the logo of PALOMA.

Location

Room B101, Gymnasium, Kookmin University