Mathematical Methods for Reasoning about Security


March 19th to March 23rd 2007


Security issues are primarily concerned with the flow of information through systems. Information theory and domain theory offer two very different mathematical views on the nature of information. Four years ago Keye Martin and Bob Coecke made substantial progress at relating these subjects by sowing how to interpret Shannon entropy as a measurement on a domain. Since then Keye Martin and his collaborators have developed an algebraic information theory which is proving to be extremely useful. There have been a number of other developments in information theory and security. For example, recently, Chatzikokolakis, Palamidessi and Panangaden have shown how to view anonymity in information theortic terms. Sadrzadeh in her recent PhD thesis showed how to use a novel dynamic epistemic logic to reason about security.

Through this workshop we hope to bring together some of the people responsible for these developments and share ideas and viewpoints. Space at the Bellairs Institute is limited and we regret that we cannot invite everyone who has contributed significantly to this subject. We have invited a few students with the idea that these developments should be a stimulus for new researchers



The workshop organizer is Prakash Panangaden. The following people are coming: Gerry Allwein, Philip Brunetti, Kostas Chatzikokolakis, Bob Coecke, Johnny Feng, Sophia Knight, Keye Martin, Catuscia Palamidessi, Prakash Panangaden, Riccardo Pucella and Mehrnoosh Sadrzadeh.
The practice at these workshops has been to allow the speaker ample time to get to technical details and for there to be lots of opportunities for extensive discussions.
The schedule is here.

The workshop runs from 19th March to 23rd March 2007 and will take place at the Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados.

Directions and things to know: The airport is on the east-south point of the island and Bellairs is on the west side (about a 30 minute taxi drive). Here is a map of Barbados, a better map of Barbados and here is one of the institute grounds.
Tell the taxi drivers to take you to Bellairs Research Centre in Holetown.

Holetown is small and Bellairs is on the main (only) street - you can't really miss it. The taxi ride should cost about $30 U.S. There are buses but one must first travel to Bridgetown (the capital) and transfer to another line. Barbados is safe and one shouldn't worry about travelling alone. US currency is freely accepted at 2 Barbadian dollars per US dollar. Other currencies (Pound sterling, Canadian dollars) are not accepted; you will have to change them at banks or at the airport.  People had trouble using their bank cards from Europe, but Canadian and US cards seem to work fine.

Good things to bring are suntan lotion or dark skin, mosquito repellent, swimwear, papers/books/stationary and light clothing (it will be hot). Note that some of the better restaurants in the area do require long pants in the evenings (swim attire is not accepted).

Also, there are three computers (and one printer) at Bellairs for people to read e-mail. There is wireless hookup for laptops so you can bring your own laptop. There is a small fee for using the computers or using the line with a laptop to connect to the internet.

The cost of a room is between 35 and 40 US $ per day per person. Breakfast is "make it yourself" (food/coffee provided), lunch we buy at a restaurant or at the shopping centre 10 minutes walk from the Institute. The cook prepares dinner (6:30pm sharp ) for approximately $20 U.S. Please bring coffee beans if you do not want to drink instant coffee. The accomodations are of the level of student dormitories, please do not expect a fancy hotel.