1. Home
  2. /
  3. Prof. Dr. Gregor Leander

Prof. Dr. Gregor Leander

Symmetric Cryptography

Professor / Head of Chair

Address:
Ruhr-University Bochum
Faculty of Computer Science
Symmetric Cryptography
Universitätsstr. 150
--D-44801 Bochum

Room: MC 1/42

Telephone: +49(0)234 32 28402

Office Hours: By arrangement

E-Mail: gregor.leander(at)rub.de

Publications

Please consult my google scholar profile or my dblp entry for an up-to-date list of publications

Symmetric Crypto@RUB

My primary field of research is cryptography, more precisely symmetric cryptography. Symmetric cryptographic primitives protect a large percentage of today’s data, whether in transit or storage. Symmetric cryptography spans a wide range from theoretic considerations to practical impact in real world applications and I am interested in working on all ends. On the one hand, having a background in mathematics and a PhD focused on theoretical aspects of Boolean functions, I have certainly an intrinsic interest in the fundamental questions in symmetric cryptography. On the other hand, I have been involved in the design of ciphers and seeing them deployed massively in products as well as breaking and fixing ciphers already deployed in practice is a great experience.

I created the symmetric cryptography group at the Ruhr University Bochum in 2015 and since then my group has become a great place for new ideas, approaches, and fruitful discussions. We have regular visits that are a great source of collaboration and chances for the PhD students to build and deepen their scientific networks.

ToSC - IACR Transaction of Symmetric Cryptography

I also like to mention that I am the founder and managing editor of the journal IACR Transaction of Symmetric Cryptography, that transformed the conference FSE into a conference/journal hybrid. I created this diamond open access journal, published by the Ruhr University Bochum, out of the strong belief that (i) it significantly improves the quality of the publications compared to a conference-only model and (ii) the fact that we write, review and layout the papers already does not justify the cost and business model of most of the professional publishers in the area.

Organisation of Scientific Meetings

  • 2024 EUROCRYPT , Zurich , program co-chair
  • 2022 Symmetric Cryptography Seminar, Dagstuhl, co-organizer
  • 2020 Symmetric Cryptography Seminar, Dagstuhl, co-organizer
  • 2019 FrisiaCrypt, Borkum, general co-chair
  • 2018 Symmetric Cryptography Seminar, Dagstuhl, co-organizer
  • 2016 Fast Software Encryption, Bochum, general chair
  • 2015 Fast Software Encryption, Istanbul, program chair
  • 2014 EUROCRYPT , Copenhagen , general co-chair
  • 2011 Workshop on Lightweight Cryptography, program co-chair
  • 2011 Fast Software Encryption, Copenhagen , general co-chair
  • 2011 Symmetric Key Encryption Workshop, general and program co-chair

Invited Talks

  • Indocrypt 2022
  • Santacrypt 2022
  • IACR FSE 2019
  • CTCRYPT 2017
  • MMCC 2017
  • Arcticrypt 2016
  • China Crypt 2016
  • Rumanian Crypto days 2015 and 2017
  • SantaCrypt 2014
  • LightSec 2013
  • Balkan­Crypt 2013
  • WCC 2013
  • Latincrypt 2012

Prizes and Awards

  • 2022 SKINNY is ISO standard (ISO/IEC 18033-7) as a Tweakable Block Cipher
  • 2020 IACR CRYPTO 2020, Best Paper Award and invitation to Journal of Cryptology
  • 2015 Heisenberg Professorship, a prestigious funding line for upcoming leaders by the DFG.
  • 2014 IACR FSE 2014, Best Paper Award and invitation to Journal of Cryptology
  • 2010 PRESENT is ISO standard (ISO/IEC 29192-2) for Lightweight Cryptography
  • 2010 German IT-Security Award (worth 100kEUR), first place
  • 2011 Erdos Number 2

Teaching

see this page for a list of present and past courses.