Supporting cryptography in wireless networking environments

Cryptography provides fundamental security mechanisms that are used to provide security services such as confidentiality, data integrity and authentication. These are particularly important in contemporary wireless networking environments where communications are exchanged over insecure channels. The provision of these services are particularly challenging in networks where resources are severely constrained (such as in wireless sensor networks) and dynamic (such as in vehicular ad hoc networks).

This project is concerned with the process of supporting cryptography in wireless networks. Rather than being concerned with cryptographic algorithm design, the project will focus on how to use cryptographic primitives within suitable protocols and, importantly, how to manage the required keying material throughout the key management lifecycle. In this sense the project is concerned with applied cryptography, with a focus on converting cryptographic theory into practical solutions.

The student will spend most of the time in the academic setting of the Information Security Group, but will be required to spend a minimum of three months at an appropriate industrial partner, to be selected by the ISG dependent on the nature of the project undertaken. This will ensure that the student develops a broad range of research skills and an awareness of their relevance in a business context.

We are looking for a strong candidate with background in mathematics, computer science or electronic engineering (knowledge of cryptography is desirable, but not essential). The successful candidate will ideally have good programming skills, communication and team-working skills; a strong interest in security is also desirable.

The Information Security Group (ISG) at Royal Holloway, University of London is one of the largest academic security research groups in the world, and cryptography is among the main strengths of the group. As a result, the student will benefit from a thriving and dynamic research environment, and may collaborate with PhD students and researchers with interest in the field.