Recent Advances and Applications of Network Security and Cryptography

Dear Colleagues,

With the rapid growth of the Internet, network security has become an inevitable challenge for any organization whose internal private systems are connected to the Internet. The paradigm shift to variable interconnection topologies in network environments introduced challenges to traditional network security approaches. Various types of attacks and threats pose ongoing challenges, such as malware, distributed denial of service attacks, man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks, and identity and access management attacks. The flexibility in interconnections makes systems susceptible to various attacks from eavesdroppers. These attacks and threats underscore the complexity of network security, prompting organizations and individuals to implement multi-layered security measures, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, encrypted communication, regular updates, and vulnerability management.

One of the primary concerns addressed in network security is the security and privacy of the huge amount of communicated information, implying that network security measures encompass a range of strategies, protocols, and technologies aimed at preventing unauthorized access, interception, or compromise of the communicated information.  The multifaceted nature of network security measures is crucial for maintaining the integrity of information exchanges. Moreover, the advancement of mobile technologies and the Internet of Things (IoT) has prompted the development of now-existing cryptographic and security measures that can be adapted and optimized to address the security implications of these innovations. This adaptation was necessary to accommodate the limited resources of devices, including battery power, storage, and processing capabilities.

In the context of these challenges and advancements, this Special Issue aims to shed light on recent breakthroughs and applications within the dynamic fields of network security and cryptography.  It seeks to delve into cutting-edge developments, innovative approaches, and emerging technologies that contribute to enhancing the security of networks and the robustness of cryptographic systems. The scope includes advancements in encryption algorithms, secure communication protocols, threat detection mechanisms, machine learning applications in security, blockchain cryptography, and the evolving challenges and solutions in network security. Solicited papers include those on the following topics, among others:

• Advanced cryptographic techniques
• Secure communication protocols
• Cryptographic calculations
• Web security
• System security
• Mobile security and IoT security
• Machine learning and AI for cybersecurity
• Security in cloud and distributed computing
• Cybersecurity of communication technologies
• Threat detection
• Network security application
• Blockchain technologies
• Privacy-preserving technologies
• N attacks and defenses of machine learning
• Topological vulnerabilities of GNNs.

Prof. Dr. Zhuo Ma
Guest Editor

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• network security
• cryptography
• privacy preservations