Scientific Analysis Group (SAG), DRDO, a premier research laboratory of India in the area of Cryptology and Information Security and Greater Noida based Sharda University, recently hosted Indocrypt 2018 – a prominent international conference on Cryptology held annually under the aegis of Cryptology Research Society of India (CRSI).

The event, which witnessed over 200 participants including international delegates from several countries, was hosted from December 10 to 12 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi and was preceded by tutorial sessions on December 9. The conference was organised under the guidance of organising chairs Dr. Shri Kant, professor Sharda University and Dr. Indivar Gupta, scientist SAG, DRDO. 

The event was formally inaugurated on December 10 by Ajay Prakash Sawhney, secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India as the chief guest. In his inaugural address, Sawhney emphasised on the need for India’s research community to look forward to the futuristic challenges in Cryptology and Cyber Security space. Dr. Sudhir Kamath, outstanding scientist and director general (MED&CoS), DRDO and Professor G. R. C. Reddy, vice chancellor, Sharda University were the guests of honour on he occasion and addressed the gathering of researchers, academicians and students present. Anu Khosla, outstanding scientist and director SAG, DRDO delivered the welcome address. Prof. Bimal Roy, general secretary, CRSI spoke about the growth of research in the area of Cryptology in the country. Prof. Tetsu Iwata of Nagoya University, Japan and programme co-chair discussed the selection criteria of the papers for the conference. R. P. Agarwal, advisor, Sharda University talked about the importance of Cryptology and Cyber Security in the present networked scenario.  During the conference, the participants gained valuable insights from the guest speakers namely, Prof. Takahiro Matsuda from AIST, Japan, Gilles Van Assche from STMicroelectronics in Belgium and Prof. Mridul Nandi from Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata.

The event holds national significance in view of the Digital India campaign of the government in recent years and subsequent boom of digitisation in the country. The event provided a global platform for experts in the field to come together and discuss recent developments in the area of Cryptology. They also deliberated on post quantum cryptographic scenario, in wake of the possible advent of quantum computers in future.