INSAIT had the pleasure of hosting Prof. Kenny Paterson from ETH Zürich for an unforgettable lecture titled “Cryptography in the Wild”, which drew an enthusiastic audience of over 300 attendees at Hall 65 of Sofia University. The event marked one of the most anticipated moments of the spring academic calendar and demonstrated the growing public interest in real-world applications of cryptographic research.
Prof. Paterson, a globally recognized expert in applied cryptography, captivated the audience with insights into how cryptographic vulnerabilities can emerge even in widely-used systems. He introduced a systematic methodology for structuring attacks on large, complex systems and illustrated it through two compelling case studies: popular cloud storage platforms and the messaging app Telegram. These examples revealed how incorrect or suboptimal implementations of cryptography can lead to serious security flaws.
The lecture not only showcased cutting-edge research but also emphasized the critical importance of careful and informed cryptographic engineering in today’s digital infrastructure. Prof. Paterson’s engaging delivery and deep expertise made the session both accessible and thought-provoking, sparking lively discussions among students, researchers, and professionals alike.