Abstract. In response to the Quantum threat, new cryptographic algorithms are being developed. The scheme Falcon (future FIPS 206 - FN-DSA) was selected as part of NIST’s Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Standardization Process in 2022, alongside three other candidates. Falcon is a hash-then-sign lattice-based signature scheme that uses NTRU lattices. Unlike the other selected algorithms, Falcon relies on floating-point arithmetic. In this talk, I will provide a brief introduction to lattice-based cryptography before giving a high-level overview of Falcon. Then, I will use the key generation process as an example of floating-point discrepancies and how we could mitigate them. This presentation will cover both theoretical and practical approaches and does not require any previous knowledge of lattice-based cryptography nor floating point arithmetic.
Based on joint work with Maxime Bros and Chris Celi.
Suggested readings: https://falcon-sign.info/falcon.pdf, ia.cr/2015/939, https://matloka.com/blog/floating-point-101
Security and Privacy: cryptography