Cryptographic Primitives in Blockchain Technology: A mathematical introduction

Blockchain technology is used in online applications, especially in the financial industry, to run applications without an authoritative entity or a trusted third party. This is secured by cryptographic protocols and a consensus mechanism. Cryptographic Primitives in Blockchain Technology provides an introduction to the mathematical and cryptographic concepts behind blockchain technologies and shows how they are applied in blockchain-based systems. Andreas Bolfing considers the security of current cryptographic primitive approaches and presents research results that estimate the impact on blockchain-based systems if some of the cryptographic primitive breaks.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 10 September 2020
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Blockchain technology has revolutionized the way online applications are run, particularly in the financial industry. These applications are decentralized, without the need for an authoritative entity or a trusted third party. The security of these systems is solely based on cryptographic protocols and a consensus mechanism. As blockchain-based solutions continue to gain popularity in the digital market, it is essential to identify the potential opportunities and risks associated with them.

To fully understand how blockchain technology works and where its weaknesses lie, it is necessary to learn the mathematical and cryptographic procedures behind it. Cryptographic Primitives in Blockchain Technology provides an introduction to these concepts and demonstrates how they are applied in blockchain-based systems. It covers the general blockchain technology approaches used to build immutable ledgers, which are based on cryptographic signature schemes.

However, as future quantum computers become more advanced, they may be able to break some of the current cryptographic primitive approaches. Andreas Bolfing, in his book, considers the security implications of this and presents the latest research results that estimate the impact on blockchain-based systems if these cryptographic primitives are compromised. He provides an example of Bitcoin to illustrate how weak cryptographic primitives can pose a potential danger to the ledger, and suggests that post-quantum cryptographic approaches can be used to overcome these vulnerabilities.

In conclusion, blockchain technology has the potential to transform the way online applications are run, particularly in the financial industry. However, it is essential to be aware of the potential risks and to take steps to mitigate them. By understanding the mathematical and cryptographic principles behind blockchain technology and implementing post-quantum cryptographic approaches, we can ensure the security and integrity of these systems in the future.

Weight: 720g
Dimension: 163 x 240 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198862840