Inspiring from the work of Al-Khwarizmi , the Khwarizmi lab at UMass Amherst is dedicated to undertake fundamental research topics that solve the challenging problems lying at the intersection of systems and algorithms. In particular, we develop secure and effective solutions in FinTech, Quantum Networks, and Critical Infrastructures – such as 5G Mobile Networks, and Industrial Control Systems.
Our work brings innovation in building secure and reliable networked systems. Our research identifies fundamental open questions and explores them from various angles. It contributes to better understanding of the state-of-the-art network systems by challenging their operational efficacy, and identifying unexplored aspects at their heterogeneity. It provides simple and innovative solutions from system designs to their operations through verification.
Here are some themes and domains that we currently work on:
System Security Policies:
Studying security policies of large-scale systems is crucial for identifying vulnerabilities and mitigating risks like data breaches and unauthorized access.
A systematic analysis of security policies not only enhances the resilience of systems but also ensures compliance with regulations and industry-recommended practices.
Our research endeavors focus on conducting comprehensive security analyses of modern digital systems. We scrutinize the authentication, authorization, and access control mechanisms within systems involving millions of users —such as banking— to ensure the highest standard of protection for users and business assets. Our findings pave the way for the development of effective remedies, ensuring the integrity and trustworthiness of digital systems in various operational contexts.
Quantum Security:
In the rapidly evolving landscape of quantum computing, the field of quantum security emerges as a crucial component to safeguard users’ communication. Central to these security measures are quantum key distribution and post-cryptographic technologies. Researchers are actively crafting new protocols in these domains, poised for deployment in the near future. While numerous research works and commercial products leveraging these technologies exist, practical implementations still face challenges in fully harnessing the potential of quantum mechanics under adversarial scenarios. Our laboratory adopts a pragmatic approach, delving into the comprehensive understanding of secure quantum communication in diverse scenarios. Our focus is on the development of efficient and end-to-end secure solutions grounded in the principles of key security principles proven to be secure over decades of research works. Through these endeavors, we aim to contribute to the robustness of quantum security in real-world applications.
Mobile Networked Systems: Next Generation (NG) Mobile Networks are designed to solve diverse application requirements (throughput, latency, safety, trust, and more) under one architecture. Our lab is mainly engaged in research and development of fundamental technologies behind NG mobile networks. Our aim is to enable novel network protocols for efficient, safe and secure mobile communications.
