One of the brightest researchers from the University of Latvia, the quantum computer researcher, Doctor Andris Ambainis, has been investigating cryptographic problems for more than a decade. The scientist who carried out a number of significant breakthroughs in this field, believes that this branch of science is perspective. What is cryptography?

Cryptography, as we see today, is the mathematics field that deals with data security concerns – encryption, data authentication (data transmitter clearance) and securing changes from a third party. Main cryptographic problem: how to protect data in unsafe environments? This issue has actually been topical since the invention of writing, but the first evidence of the use of reference comes from an ancient Greek. Of course, the needs of time, has changed. So today, Caesar Cipher, and wax seals are used instead of cunning mathematics.

So far, science is based on exploring the two types of encryption. Namely, it is a classic and asymmetric (or public) cryptography. Classical cryptography explores those issues associated with encryption, what most people think of watching movies about espionage. There are two communicators with a secret “key” encrypted message. And if this key “intrusion” masterful opponent decrypter whether it is revealed in another way, the “game” has been going on with the “new” rules.

Templar Order, the first bank

One of the best examples of classical cryptographic history is a story about the so-called Templar Order, which will izplaukumu experienced Middle Ages. This is one of the most famous Christian military decorations, which the Roman Catholic Church officially confirmed around 1130. year. Knights of wealth, influence and success because it later turned up on the French King Philip IV of mine victims.

First Cross war resulted in 1099. The Christians regained Jerusalem from the Muslims. This enabled the Europeans to resume pilgrimages to this site. But it was a gamble, because in addition to the same Jerusalem, just the way it was dangerous. It was full of various criminals and fraudsters vamp. Therefore, in 1119. The two knights, First Cross, war veterans, Hugues de Payens and Godfrey de Saint-Omer, proposed to set up to protect pilgrims on religious (monks) Order. And although it was originally designed as a purely military organization, “the poor of Christ and the Temple of Solomon knights”, the number of knights, who regularly took part in warfare, was a relatively small part of the Order.

And larger units were non-military medal. All Christians, spheres of influence they had created a multi-center economic infrastructure, which later formed the first European trading and the banking system back. That structure was the starting knights money and valuables deposits medal in stores, going to the current crusade. This system soon became part of the pilgrims and merchants.

Before going there merchants were given the opportunity to invest money and jewelry medal vault in return for their supporting documents. When the pilgrim has reached its destination, the presentation of this paper could get the deposit back. Thus, significantly decreased the risk of travelers to be robbed, but the Order of the disposal and management of existing resources multiply. By contrast, deposits, supporting documents later became letters of credit and settlement checks.

“From a cryptographic point of view, it is clear – such a system could exist and function only on condition that the Order was issued documents of their secret differences and badges. In other words – was to be the keys or “key” that could recognize only the payee and the issuer in both the travel destinations, “explains the essence of classical cryptography Japan, with humor added,” Otherwise, the “deposit” the document bearer would be very much, and doubtful whether this would contribute to the Order of the abundance of reproduction. ”

From spy movies to the daily needs of

In turn, asymmetric cryptography, indicating a scientist works on quite other principles. Required information is crypted one “key”, but already decrypt it with another “key”. The first “key” (by which the report is crypted) the recipient can even publish a newspaper, while another key (which is intended transcript) must be kept secret. In doing so it addresses the classic cryptographic key problem – how to allow read encrypted message without giving the readers own encryption “key”?

This principle is applied, such as Internet shops, bank electronic payment and information systems. So we can safely say that from the spy movies cryptography has long been a migrant to our everyday lives. Without a secure encryption would allow greater part of the remote electronic services, starting with e-signatures, bank settlements and ending with the tram tickets or e-vouchers. In fact, we use only paper money, public agencies could not use a common database, but a car alarm should be used instead of chain and suspended keys.

Quantum computers and global security

All encryption is a mathematical formula structure reveals Japan. But with the usual computer power and software is not enough to understand this structure. Altogether different is the quantum computer, whose experimental prototypes are already running. Quantum computing uses a completely different principles, and their capacity will be sufficient. “It is now science has led to algorithms for quantum computers, which allows to find and understand the normal structure of the mathematical formula for encryption. Therefore, despite the fact that the real quantum computers are currently exists only on paper now is to create new methods and algorithms that will allow the encode data in a manner that they would be virtually impossible to “break open” even with such new computing systems, ” tells Japan.

“Security is a continuous race, and the specificities of cyberspace makes it particularly dynamic,” says researcher cryptography. He specifically points out that “the solution from a very reliable unfit to become a single sight, just found a vulnerability.” Therefore, in order to avoid such incidents in a timely manner is a need for studies, as well as ongoing follow-up areas for development in the world. This is why encryption is so important to every country. “It is one of the fundamental branches of science that studies the safety. And they are based on many directions – from the Letters of encryption, to protect air, “said Ambainis.

Cryptography Latvia

So far, the issue of academic research in cryptography Latvia seriously, though without any special support from the government has dealt only himself Ambainis. He already has some achievements in asymmetric cryptography and quantum field of research where the researcher carried out a series of discoveries.

For example, in 2008. The experiment was conducted in Switzerland. Because during the political election results were transmitted via a computer network using quantum crypto. Later, another team of scientists discovered that these election results were likely modified. Ambainis developed the protocol, eliminating the problem. Its hard to imagine what the consequences might be vulnerable to such information by electronic transmission, if it had not the experiment, but, for example, the U.S. presidential election. In fact, the Latvian scholar, created a new protocol of quantum encryption, which is to prevent gaps in existing protocols.

Ambainis are confident that similar findings could be taken over and over again. But first, it would be necessary for aficionados of cryptography Latvian young mathematicians middle. “Latvia is a very good mathematical education system, but students would be worth more doubt about their position in the labor market. Computer, which, of course, is good, but there are many. In turn, especially in cryptography and quantum cryptography are quite different level, which offers not only a giant of work and the scientific outlook. It is also the money and career opportunities. After all – the safety issues and there will always be up to date, as long as the human race survive, according to Japan.