Dr. Don Coppersmith

A cryptographer and mathematician, he is one of the world?s leading researchers in cryptography. He was part of the IBM team that developed the Data Encryption Standard (DES). Used in financial and Internet applications since 1977, DES is an established U.S. government standard for commercial encryption. He was involved in the design of the Data Encryption Standard block cipher at IBM; particularly the design of the S-boxes, strengthening them against differential cryptanalysis. One of his most significant breakthroughs in cryptanalysis was his ultra-fast algorithm for computing discrete logarithms; the cryptanalysis of RSA, methods for rapid matrix multiplication (Coppersmith?Winograd algorithm) and IBM's MARS cipher. He is also a co-designer of the SEAL and Scream ciphers. In 1972, he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He earned his Master?s degree and his Ph.D. from Harvard University in Mathematics in 1975 and 1977 respectively. He was a Putnam Fellow each year from 1968?1971, becoming the first four-time Putnam Fellow in history. In 1998, he started Ponder This, an online monthly column on mathematical puzzles and problems. In October 2005, the column was taken over by James Shearer. In 2002, he won the RSA Security Award for Mathematics for his work in the field of cryptography. His work in the area of block cipher cryptology contributed to the Data Encryption standard (DES), which has served as the cryptographic standard for over twenty-five years and enables secure communications and commerce. As one of the industry's most prestigious awards, The RSA Security Award for Mathematics recognizes innovation and ongoing contributions to the field of cryptography. RSA Security also presents awards for Industry and Public Policy contributions. The selection committee, which includes members of the industry, academic community and public sector, identifies nominees who are pioneers in their field and whose work has applied value. Along with being an IEEE Fellow, Coppersmith is a four-time winner of the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition, and recipient of an IBM Outstanding Innovation Award.