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263-4656-00L 5 Credits MSC , NDS , WBZ D-MATH , D-INFK

Digital Signatures

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Kristina Hostáková

VVZ CR 4.4

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:09

Abstract

Digital signatures as one central cryptographic building block. Different security goals and security definitions for digital signatures, followed by a variety of popular and fundamental signature schemes with their security analyses.

Objective

The student knows a variety of techniques to construct and analyze the security of digital signature schemes. This includes modularity as a central tool of constructing secure schemes, and reductions as a central tool to proving the security of schemes.

Content

We will start with several definitions of security for signature schemes, and investigate the relations among them. We will proceed to generic (but inefficient) constructions of secure signatures, and then move on to a number of efficient schemes based on concrete computational hardness assumptions. On the way, we will get to know paradigms such as hash-then-sign, one-time signatures, and chameleon hashing as central tools to construct secure signatures.

Resources

Literature

Jonathan Katz, "Digital Signatures."

Learning Materials (Links)

Main link
Information

General Information

Language: English
Levels: MSC , NDS , WBZ
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: session examination
Mode: oral 20 minutes

There will be two voluntary graded homework assignments during the semester (one beginning of April, the other end of May). The purpose of these assignments is to allow students to exercise and get feedback on their understanding of the course material. Successful completion of the homework assignments will result in bonus points for the final exam (up to 0.25 grade points).

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture	Digital Signatures	Tue 10:15-12:00 (HG E 1.2)	2 h weekly
exercise	Digital Signatures	Wed 12:15-14:00 (HG E 1.2)	1 h weekly

Offered In

Computer Science Master
- Majors
  - Major in Secure and Reliable Systems
    - Elective Courses
  - Major in Theoretical Computer Science
    - Elective Courses
- Minors
  - Minor in Information Security
  - Minor in Theoretical Computer Science
Mathematics Master
- Electives (For the Master's degree in Applied Mathematics the following additional condition (not manifest in myStudies) must be obeyed: At least 14 of the required 26 credits from core courses and electives must be acquired in areas of applied mathematics and further application-oriented fields.)
  - Electives: Applied Mathematics and Further Application-Oriented Fields (¬)
    - Selection: Theoretical Computer Science, Discrete Mathematics (In the Master's programme in Mathematics 401-3052-05L Graph Theory is eligible as an elective course, but only if 401-3052-10L Graph Theory isn't recognised for credits (neither in the Bachelor's nor in the Master's programme). For the category assignment take contact with the Study Administration Office ( ) after having received the credits.)
CAS in Computer Science
- Focus Courses and Electives
DAS in Cyber Security
- Elective Courses
Cyber Security Master
- Field of Specialization
  - Electives
- Minor
  - Theoretical Computer Science
    - Elective Courses
MAS in Cyber Security
- Elective courses