2014 Gibbons Memorial Lecture Series

In modern times, with our reliance upon electronic communication and the burgeoning use of social media, our privacy is under increasing threat. Indeed, privacy, as it applies to both individuals and to governments, is a topic of great current concern.

Privacy is the ability of an individual or group to seclude themselves or information about themselves. In the world of computers and communications, privacy is intimately connected to security, which provides a means for us to protect our information from unauthorized access, modification, or use. One cannot expect privacy to be maintained if the systems being used are not secure and, security itself cannot be guaranteed unless some aspects of the security mechanisms, such as passwords, are held privately.

Our lead speaker for 2014 is Miriam Lips from Victoria University, the first professor of e-Government in New Zealand and Member of the New Zealand Data Futures Forum. Professor Lips will discuss what privacy means to New Zealanders in the Internet age given their attitude and behaviour when managing personal information in online environments. Her introductory lecture will be followed by talks by three local speakers who will focus on specific aspects of security. From our Computer Science Department, Dr Peter Gutmann will discuss the challenges to security posed by human nature and Dr Giovanni Russello will address the specific challenges faced by mobile devices, in particular the Android systems. A surprising aspect of modern security is its reliance on higher mathematics – Associate Professor Steven Galbraith from our Mathematics department will summarise with an introduction to Public Key cryptography, authentication, and the threats facing these fundamental techniques on which we all rely.

Schedule

May 1: What does Privacy Mean to New Zealanders in the Internet Age?

Professor Miriam Lips
School of Government
Victoria University of Wellington

May 8: Security in Mobile Devices

Dr Giovanni Russello
Department of Computer Science
The University of Auckland

May 15: Public Key Cryptography: Computation, Cash and John Nash

Associate Professor Steven Galbraith
Department of Mathematics
The University of Auckland

May 22: The Psychology of Computer Insecurity

Dr Peter Gutmann
Department of Computer Science
The University of Auckland

All of the lectures will be presented in room OGGB3/260-092 on level 0 of the Owen G Glenn building on Grafton Road. The lectures will commence at 6:30pm, with refreshments being provided in the lobby from 6:00pm. Note that there is public parking in the basement of the Owen G Glenn building, accessed from Grafton Road.