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.