CS 858 – Hot Topics in
Computer and
Communications Security
Winter 2009
Introduction
Overview
 Goals
 Organization
 Survey of Topics
Urs Hengartner
CS 858 - HoTCCS
2
Goals
 Research wise
 Introduce current research problems in
computer and communications security
 Study proposed solutions
 Hopefully come up with new solutions
 Research project
 Grad-student skills
 Reviewing papers
 Giving presentations
Urs Hengartner
CS 858 - HoTCCS
3
Overview
 Goals
 Organization
 Survey of Topics
Urs Hengartner
CS 858 - HoTCCS
4
Meetings
 Time: TT 1-2:20pm
 Location: MC 2036B
 Office hour: Tuesdays 3-4pm or by appt
Urs Hengartner
CS 858 - HoTCCS
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Prerequisites
 No formal prerequisites
 Basic knowledge of computer systems and
networks helpful
 Wide range of papers
 Systems, probability, hardware, HCI,
economics, cryptanalysis
Urs Hengartner
CS 858 - HoTCCS
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Lectures
 First four lectures given by me
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Short introduction to cryptography and security
Advice on giving talks
Sample projects
Research overview
 Following lectures: Two students will each present
and lead a discussion on a research paper
 See course website for reading list and schedule
Urs Hengartner
CS 858 - HoTCCS
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Grading
 Paper presentations:
 Paper reviews:
 Class participation:
25%
15%
10%
 Includes presentation feedback
 Research project :
Urs Hengartner
50%
CS 858 - HoTCCS
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Paper Review
 Goal: learn what makes a good paper
 So that you can write your own good papers 
 Every student should read the two mandatory
papers before each lecture
 See course website for papers
 Every student should submit a review for one of
the two papers before class
 Using submission system, see later
 You will see each others’ (anonymized) reviews
Urs Hengartner
CS 858 - HoTCCS
9
Paper Presentation
 Goal: practice your presentation skills
 Every student should present two research papers
during term
 Workshop/conference-style presentation
 Present work as it is your own
 Carefully prepare your slides
 Will give some advice on Thursday
 About 25 minutes
 Send me your slides before lecture
Urs Hengartner
CS 858 - HoTCCS
10
Paper Discussion
 Discussion follows presentation
 Presenter of paper gives his/her opinion
about paper
 Presenter comes up with interesting
questions and leads a discussion
 About 15 minutes
Urs Hengartner
CS 858 - HoTCCS
11
Presentation Feedback
 Feedback is essential for training speaking
skills
 Every student should submit a review for
each presentation by 5pm the day after a
presentation
 Using submission system, see later
 Look at review form before preparing your
presentation
 Presenter will see (anonymized) feedback
Urs Hengartner
CS 858 - HoTCCS
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Submission System
 We will use a conference review system for
gathering and distributing paper and presentation
reviews
 Accessible from course website
 I will create your accounts, using the email
address from which you send me your paper
preferences (see later)
 Once I have assigned papers, go to the
submission system, enter your email address, and
click on “Mail me my password”
Urs Hengartner
CS 858 - HoTCCS
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Submission System (cont.)
 For papers, you are a PC member, since PC
members can see each others’ (anonymized)
reviews
 Click on “PC Members” and “Review the papers”
 When done reviewing, choose “Finalize, I am done
editing”
 Now you can see other students’ finalized reviews
 You need to review only one of the two mandatory
papers. For the second one, set the review type to
“dummy” and finalize
Urs Hengartner
CS 858 - HoTCCS
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Submission System (cont.)
 For presentations, you are a reviewer.
Reviewer cannot see each others’ reviews,
only the presenter can
 Click on “Reviewer”, instead of “PC
Members”
 If you are a presenter, click on “Author” to
see the (anonymized) finalized reviews for
your presentation
Urs Hengartner
CS 858 - HoTCCS
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Paper Selection Due January 11
 Reading list available on course website
1. For each discussed topic, choose
 two papers if topic is discussed on two days
 one paper if on one day
 If no choice for a topic, I’ll assume that any
paper is fine with you
2. Order your choices (16 in total)
3. Optionally, indicate for your top choice(s)
why you want to present them
Urs Hengartner
CS 858 - HoTCCS
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Project
 Goal: novel research in the area of security,
cryptography, or privacy
 Might lead to workshop/conference submission
 Free to choose your topic
 Instructor will present sample topics
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In groups of two
Proposal: February 13
Presentation: March 31 and April2
Write-up: Middle of April
Urs Hengartner
CS 858 - HoTCCS
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Overview
 Goals
 Organization
 Survey of Topics
Urs Hengartner
CS 858 - HoTCCS
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