General Info

The Center for Communications Research in Princeton performs applied mathematical and computational research in cryptology and related disciplines. Mathematics CCR-P conducts mathematical research supporting the twin tasks facing cryptologists: cryptography and cryptanalysis. Mathematics remains the fundamental science used to create and analyze the complex algorithms used to encipher vulnerable communications. Virtually every branch of pure and applied mathematics has proved to be useful in these efforts. For example, techniques from the geometry of algebraic curves provide better methods for detecting and correcting errors in data transmission. Even where no explicit mathematics is involved, the mathematical mode of thinking seems to be ideally suited to cryptologic problems. Each summer, CCR-P runs an intensive ten-week summer conference on applied mathematical problems ( SCAMP ). The conference concentrates on a problem area in cryptology. Some 20-25 academic mathematicians are invited to join with our research staff for these conferences. The visitors are a very strong group of research mathematicians ranging in age from undergraduates to emeritus professors. In recent years, we have made a particular effort to include some undergraduate and/or graduate students who have demonstrated outstanding talent.