SDGs

FMIPA UGM’s Cryptography and Cybersecurity Research Centre (C3R) Holds Regular Reading Groups to Prepare Young Cryptographers

Januari 30, 2024

The Center for Cryptography and Cybersecurity Research (C3R) at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), conducted its second reading group activity on Friday, January 26, 2024, at 09:00 AM WIB via Zoom Meeting. This activity was initiated to provide a platform for students and academic communities interested in cryptography to enhance their understanding of current issues in the field of cryptography and cybersecurity.

During this session, Annisa Dini Handayani, a Ph.D. student in Mathematics at UGM who also serves as a Lecturer at the Polytechnic of Cyber and National Intelligence, acted as the main speaker. The paper presented was titled “New Receipt-Free Voting Scheme Using Double-Trapdoor Commitment”. It was authored by prominent researchers Xiaofeng Chen, Qianhong Wu, Fangguo Zhang, Haibo Tian, Baodian Wei, Byoungcheon Lee, Hyunrok Lee, and Kwangjo Kim.

The paper discusses a solution deemed most suitable for large-scale electronic voting (e-voting). Chen et al. propose an e-voting scheme utilizing blind signatures, a double-trapdoor commitment scheme, and anonymous channels. This scheme is an advancement from the previous e-voting scheme proposed by Okamoto. Okamoto’s e-voting scheme claims to satisfy the aspect of receipt-free security using a single trapdoor commitment scheme and blind signatures. Receipt-freeness ensures that voters cannot prove their choices to others, thereby preventing vote buying or coercion. Okamoto proposed two e-voting schemes, one requiring security parameters from a registration committee and the other assuming very high physical security levels. Therefore, to enhance Okamoto’s scheme, Chen et al. designed an e-voting scheme that does not require security parameters from a registration committee and does not rely on assumptions of high physical security but still meets the receipt-freeness aspect.

As indicated by the title of the paper, the concept of the double-trapdoor commitment scheme is discussed, along with its differences from the single-trapdoor commitment scheme. One advantage of the double-trapdoor commitment scheme is its perceived higher security compared to the single-trapdoor commitment scheme. This is because the double-trapdoor commitment scheme requires obtaining two secret values to break the scheme entirely. Apart from e-voting, this commitment scheme can also be utilized to construct zero-knowledge proof schemes and electronic auctions.

In conclusion, Chen et al. claim that their e-voting scheme is more efficient than the Okamoto scheme. Furthermore, they demonstrate that their proposed e-voting scheme meets the security requirements of e-voting, such as completeness, privacy, soundness, unreusability, eligibility, fairness, verifiability, and receipt-freeness.

We invite all students, researchers, and practitioners interested in joining this activity and contributing to in-depth discussions on current cryptographic issues. This activity supports SDGs poin 9 related to Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and poin 11 related to Sustainable Cities and Communities.

About C3R FMIPA UGM:

The Center for Cryptography and Cybersecurity Research (C3R) FMIPA UGM is a research institution under the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). C3R is committed to enhancing understanding and security in the fields of cryptography and cybersecurity through research activities, training, and innovation development.

C3R FMIPA UGM Media Contact:

Name: Saifullah Ali

Coordinator of C3R FMIPA UGM Reading Group

Email: saifullah.ali@mail.ugm.ac.id

Author: Uha Isnaini

Editor: Febriska Noor Fitriana

Picture: www.encryptionconsulting.com

Age is Merely a Number: The Oldest Competency Certification Participant from FMIPA UGM Continues Inspiring Work Through Chemical Waste

Januari 18, 2024

Entering the third decade as the Laboratory Education Manager (PLP) for the Elins UGM Study Program, Mardi Wasono had the opportunity to obtain certification as a Young Competent Chemical Safety Expert in Jakarta at the end of 2023. The activity was funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia through PT. UNILAB PERDANA with an Assessor from the Industrial Chemical Profession Certification Institute (LSPKI). Participants had to pass administrative selection stages with a portfolio attachment. Subsequently, successful participants underwent 15 days of online mentoring and industrial supervision. Following that, participants traveled to Jakarta for a 5-day training and competency test. In this case, only 20 participants were selected from applicants across Indonesia to go to Jakarta for certification.

Mardi expressed his pride and gratitude for the opportunity, considering his educational background as a graduate of STM in electrical engineering and his not-so-young age. Even with only 3 years and 3 months left dedicating himself to FMIPA UGM, Mardi still felt the desire to innovate in the field of chemical waste management. “I graduated from STM in electrical engineering but luckily could participate in research and training. Everything funded, free of charge. I am not the oldest participant, but I’m considered senior because the others are younger,” he said, displaying the obtained Young Competent Chemical Safety Expert certificate. The enthusiasm and spirit in conducting research for the benefit translate into concrete steps for SDGs impacting innovation (9), marine ecosystems (14), and terrestrial ecosystems (15).

Mardi has been involved in chemical waste research for the past 4-5 years, but his laboratory experience spans over 30 years. The research stemmed from his concerns about the management of chemical waste and its environmental impact. On the other hand, another driving factor was his concern for safety in working, especially in chemical waste management. The goal of the research is to reduce the levels of heavy metal values in chemicals to meet the standards set by the government. This is done to ensure that chemicals do not have a negative impact on the environment, whether for humans, animals, or plants. “Chemical waste is dangerous if not treated and directly disposed of into the environment. Substances like HCl and H²O² are strong acids. Therefore, they need to be treated first to avoid polluting the environment,” he explained.

Mardi is also grateful for the supportive colleagues in his research, involving professors, researchers, and technicians. Reflecting on his participation in the certification activity at the twilight of his career, Mardi believes it helped him understand his shortcomings and acknowledges that, as a human, he is far from “perfect,” given the many outstanding individuals he has encountered. He also hopes that many staff in other universities will continue to innovate and develop to provide benefits to their surroundings. Although Mardi will retire in 2027, he remains actively engaged in developing his research on chemical waste management. “Currently, I am using agricultural waste (straw) from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine UGM as an absorbent medium to reduce the levels of heavy metals in the chemical waste generated from practical activities in the basic Elins laboratory. The hope is to achieve the desired target and not harm the environment,” he added.

Keywords: competency certification, FMIPA UGM, laboratory, chemical waste, occupational health and safety (K3), Chemistry

Humas FMIPA UGM | Febriska Noor Fitriana