Mød dine rollemodeller i High5Girls – og bliv klogere på kryptering

Når du deltager i Gå til Science, får du mulighed for at lære af to inspirerende kvinder, der arbejder med matematik og kryptering hver dag. Corina-Gabriela Ciobotaru, professor i matematik på Aarhus Universitet, og Blanca Gil Rosell, PhD-studerende i matematik, brænder for at forstå og beskytte information med hemmelige koder.

Men hvad fik dem til at interessere sig for kryptering? Og hvad er det fedeste ved at arbejde med hemmelige beskeder? Vi har stillet dem et par spørgsmål – læs deres svar her.

What made you interested in encrypting in the first place? How did you learn about it?

The word encryption means “the process of transforming sensitive information in a way to make it unavailable from unauthorized people but available only for some specific people”. The idea of encrypting messages is very old and was already used by ancient people to exchange, for instance, military information.

Nowadays encryption plays a crucial role in our lives (banks, phones, electronic devices, emails, Facebook… all of them encrypt their data before sending it around!) and the techniques used are very sophisticated and fascinating. The challenge of creating and breaking codes is intellectually stimulating and rewarding at the same time.

People often learn about encryption through various courses in computer science, information technology, or just through books and scholarly articles that delve into the principles and practices of encryption. 

How are you using it in your work?

It is a great question! We all utilize encryption in our work, often indirectly and without even realizing it. Our computers and phones are equipped with various encryption technologies to secure our personal data and the work we generate daily.

What do you think is the coolest aspect of encrypting?

The coolest aspect of encryption is the sense of security and secrecy it provides, almost like a magical shield for information. The idea that only those with the correct key can unlock and decipher the message, while everyone else is left in the dark, is incredibly powerful. It’s fascinating how encryption creates a virtual barrier that ensures our sensitive data remains safe from prying eyes.

Moreover, as technology advances and computers become more powerful, the need for stronger encryption methods continues to grow. This forces us to innovate and come up with more sophisticated ways to protect information. There’s always something new to explore in the field of encryption, from quantum computing’s impact on security to the development of new cryptographic techniques. It’s a field that is constantly evolving, offering endless opportunities to learn and improve.