Identity-Based Encryption
RSA Conference 2024 · Track Session
Identity-Based Encryption (IBE), initially conceived by Shamir and first constructed by Boneh and Franklin, represents a powerful generalization of traditional public key encryption. In an IBE system, a user's unique identity (e.g., email address, name) directly serves as their public key, eliminating the need for complex certificate management infrastructure often associated with Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). This streamlined approach makes IBE particularly attractive for resource-constrained environments and applications requiring simplified key management. However, the foundational number-theoretic assumptions underlying many early IBE schemes, such as those based on bilinear maps or quadratic residues, are known to be vulnerable to quantum computing attacks, posing a significant challenge for their long-term security.