Syllabus Section: GS III (Science and Technology)

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Recently, a team at the Department of Electrical Communication Engineering (ECE), Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has developed a true random number generator.

What is TRNG?

A TRNG is a function or device based on an unpredictable physical phenomenon, called an entropy source.

That is designing to generate non-deterministic data (e.g., a succession of numbers) but to seed security algorithms

• In IISc’s TRNG device, random numbers are generated using the random motion of electrons.
• It consists of an artificial electron trap constructed by stacking atomically-thin layers of materials.
• They were Like black phosphorus and graphene in a true random number generator.

Significance:

• Improve Data Encryption: It can improve data encryption and provide improved security for sensitive digital data and such as credit card details, passwords, and other personal information.

• More Secure: A TRNG extracts random numbers from inherently random physical processes, making it more secure.
  • Cryptographic keys are typically generated in computers using pseudorandom number generators, which rely on mathematical formulae or pre-programmed tables to produce numbers that appear random but are not.
• More secure from cyber theft.

Cyber Security Related Terms: Cyber Security means protecting cyberspace including critical information infrastructure from attack, damage, misuse, and economic espionage.   Critical Information Infrastructure: Ø  CII is defined as a computer resource, the incapacitation or destruction of which, shall have a debilitating impact on national security, economy, public health, or safety. Cyber Space: ·         Cyberspace is a concept describing a widespread interconnected digital technology within the information environment consisting of the interdependent network of information technology infrastructures, including the Internet, telecommunications networks, computer systems, and embedded processors and controllers.   International Mechanisms ·         International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ·         Budapest Convention on Cybercrime: Ø  An international treaty that seeks to address Internet and computer crime (cybercrime) by harmonizing national laws, improving investigative techniques, and increasing cooperation among nations. Ø  India is not a signatory to this convention. ·         Internet Governance Forum (IGF) ·         Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)

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