How randomized data can improve our security

Protecting digital information from unauthorised access is the focus of the international research teams in the Cluster of Excellence CASA. Michael Schwettmann With an innovative approach, Bochum scientists and international colleagues are creating new standards for data security in the cache of electronic devices. Huge streams of data pass through our computers and smartphones every day. In simple terms, technical devices contain two essential units to process this data: A processor, which is a kind of control center, and a RAM, comparable to memory. Modern processors use a cache to act as a bridge between the two, since memory is much slower at providing data than the processor is at processing it. This cache often contains private data that could be an attractive target for attackers. A team of scientists from Bochum, Germany, in cooperation with researchers from Japan, has now developed an innovative cipher that not only offers greater security than previous approaches, but is also more efficient and faster.