Having received the 10th Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Information and Communication Technologies, mathematician Ronald Rivest explains in this interview why the RSA algorithm—which he co-developed with Adi Shamir and Leonard Adleman—has become an essential pillar of internet security. Rivest details how this encryption system protects digital communications, financial transactions, and sensitive data, and reflects on the emerging challenges that quantum computing poses to current cryptographic methods. His perspective combines mathematical foundations with practical applications, underscoring the importance of designing new protection tools for an increasingly complex digital environment.
The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Information and Communication Technologies category goes, in this tenth edition, to Shafi Goldwasser, Silvio Micali, Ronald Rivest and Adi S
Having received the 10th Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Information and Communication Technologies, mathematician Ronald Rivest explains in this interview why the RSA algorithm—which he co-developed with Adi Shamir and Leonard Adleman—has become an essential pillar of internet security. Rivest details how this encryption system protects digital communications, financial transactions, and sensitive data, and reflects on the emerging challenges that quantum computing poses to current cryptographic methods. His perspective combines mathematical foundations with practical applications, underscoring the importance of designing new protection tools for an increasingly complex digital environment.
The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Information and Communication Technologies category goes, in this tenth edition, to Shafi Goldwasser, Silvio Micali, Ronald Rivest and Adi Shamir for their “fundamental contributions to modern cryptology, an area of a tremendous impact on our everyday life,” in the words of the jury’s citation. “Their advanced crypto-protocols enable the safe and secure transmission of electronic data, ranging from e-mail to financial transactions. In addition, their work provides the underpinning for digital signatures, blockchains and crypto-currencies,” like Bitcoin.
00:00 Introduction
00:05 Could you explain the historical importance of the RSA algorithm in the development of modern cryptography and how it has contributed to establishing secure communications and transactions in today’s digital world?
00:51 Could you provide specific examples of how modern cryptography underpins the security of everyday Internet use?
01:45 You have worked on technology to ensure the security of digital voting systems. In light of recent news about election interference, what can and should be done to guarantee the security of such processes and prevent any risk of interference?
