Computer Science 530 - Assignment #1 -- Fall 2009

Due: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 11:00 p.m.

1. Discuss the advantages of using a one time pad for encryption as compared with the use of AES in the cipher block chaining mode of operation, and the use of RSA when used as a block cipher. Be sure to consider pracicality of use, size of the key, amount of data that can be encrypted, and the strenght of the protection provided, both in terms of confidentiality and integrity protections.
2. Provide a similar comparison between a one time pad, and the use of AES in output feedback mode.

   Clarification: You must discuss the advantages of each of the compared approaches. Note that in discussion advantages of one approach, you are implicitly discussing disadvantages of others, thus you end up discussing both advantages and disadvantages.

INSTRUCTION:

The report must be submitted by 11:00 p.m. on September 23, 2009. The report should be approximately 3 pages, or roughly 1200 to 1500 words. To submit your report you will use the DEN Blackboard assignent submission mechanism. You will use this method regardless of whether you are an on-campus student or a DEN student.

How to submit Assignment #1:

• STEP 1. Please login to DEN, and select csci530.
• STEP 2. Please select "Assignment" in the menu.
• STEP 3. Please select "view/Complete Assignment #1".
• STEP 4. Please select "File To Attach" to attach your report. (NOTE: PDF, MS WORD, ASCII TEXT ONLY! Other formats are NOT acceptable.)
• STEP 5. Please select "Submit" button. (If you select *SAVE* button instead of *submit*, then the TA cannot view your report for grading.)

It is the individual student's responsibility to follow the submission instruction. Submissions that do not follow this instructions, e.g., submitted late, or only "Saved" and not submitted. may be penalized or may not be graded at all. Note that the submission box for the assignment may dissapear from the class web site at 11PM on September 23rd, i.e. the submission deadline.

GUIDELINE:

This is a lot to cover in so few words - so our advice is to write a first pass at your answer that is longer, and then edit out material that is redundant or not to the point. The use of tables can be very effective in conveying your ideas in a small area, but the tables must be integrated with your textual discussion, and not the only item in your submission.