Strengthening the Role of Schools and Universities in Cryptography and Cybersecurity in Indonesia

Yogyakarta, July 20, 2023 – In an effort to support the role of schools and universities in cybersecurity in Indonesia, Komunitas Peminat Aljabar (KPA) held the Algebra Joint Seminar under the theme “The Role of Schools and Universities in Cryptography and Cybersecurity in Indonesia.” The seminar was part of the Summer School 2023 on Number Theory and Cryptography, featuring both offline sessions at the 7th Floor Auditorium of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and online sessions via Zoom Meeting. The seminar aimed to serve as a platform for learning, information exchange, and communication for undergraduate and graduate students, young researchers, teachers, and parents in the effort to counter cyber attacks occurring in Indonesia, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity.

This seminar presented several speakers who are experts in the field of cryptography and cybersecurity, including Frederic Ezerman, Ph.D., from Nanyang Technological University, who is also the Co-founder and Resident Cryptographer of Sandhiguna; Dr. Santi Indarjani and Dr. Sri Rosdiana from Politeknik Siber dan Sandi Negara; and Prof. Dr.rer.nat. Indah Emilia Wijayanti, M.Si., as the Head of the Center of Cryptography and Cybersecurity Research.

As is well known, Indonesia is currently experiencing technological advancement, notably in internet technology. Such progress cannot be halted and is inseparable from daily life. Alongside the positive impacts, internet development also brings negative consequences that can be harmful, one of which is cybercrime. Hence, internet users must exercise caution and vigilance when engaging in online transactions that require personal data, such as ID numbers, addresses, bank card information, and others.

Furthermore, mathematics, especially the field of algebra, plays a crucial role in cryptography and cybersecurity. Algebra provides the mathematical structures used in designing and analyzing cryptographic algorithms. Therefore, as Frederic Ezerman, Ph.D., pointed out, “Besides developing cryptographic tools, it is equally important to develop human resources in Indonesia to perceive data security and cybersecurity as essential values.”

Author: Endang Sulastri

Editor: Silvina Rosita Yulianti