Computing devices come with various flavors. On the one end of the spectrum, the near-future holds the promise of powerful large-scale quantum computers. On the other end, we have bit-serialized microprocessors that costs less than a dime. Yet, when it comes to security, the goal is the same: Achieving and maintaining an acceptable level of trust. This talk will highlight the unique challenges that emerge from these two ends of the computing spectrum. In particular, we will be focusing on two fields: Lightweight cryptography and post-quantum cryptography. The former works on how to implement a minimum-level of security on extremely constrained platforms. The latter deals with efficient security solutions that can withstand attacks of powerful quantum computers. We will discuss how to do cryptographic engineering for the two ends, and highlight the ongoing research efforts and the contributions of Secure Embedded Systems Lab at Virginia Tech.

Aydin Aysu is currently working towards his Ph.D. degree at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech. His research interests include embedded system security of emerging applications and secure and efficient cryptographic hardware. He is the recipient of 2013 best presentation award and 2014 best poster award at the annual departmental research fair. Previously, he received his B.S. degree in Microelectronics with Mathematics Minor and his M.S degree in Electronics Engineering from Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey, in 2008 and 2010, respectively. He also worked as a digital design engineer at Vestek R&D Co. and as a security researcher at Qualcomm Inc.