Paul C. van Oorschot

Overview

Paul C. van Oorschot is a professor and cryptographer whose work spans authentication, computer security, usable security, and applied cryptography. He has been affiliated with Carleton University and held a Canada Research Chair in authentication and computer security.

He is co-author, with Alfred Menezes and Scott Vanstone, of Handbook of Applied Cryptography, a widely used reference that brings together foundations and applications of cryptography. The book's role is educational and technical, not a claim that security can be reduced to cryptography alone.

His later research has emphasized the systems and human aspects of authentication. That breadth is significant: secure protocols must be implemented, deployed, and used correctly to provide real protection.

Timeline

• 1996Co-authors <em>Handbook of Applied Cryptography</em>.
• 2002Begins a Canada Research Chair term in authentication and computer security.
• 2000s-2020sPublishes and teaches on authentication, usable security, and applied cryptography at Carleton University.
• 2023Concludes the Canada Research Chair term recorded by Carleton University.