Re: [Cfrg] Safecurves draft

I don't object to these curves.

Still, could we please call these curves something more specific and neutral than just "safe"?

Aren't many other curves safe so far as we know?

For example, take the Brainpool curves, use a Montgomery (Brier-Joye?) ladder, and an extra careful implementation, and do ECDHE, with some other kind of safe auth. Is that not safe?

Indeed, what about the NIST curves?

Implying them to be unsafe in the sense of a weak DLP implies a hypotheses that mildly reduces the conventional notion of security for all ECC.

Anyway, I debated all this already with Bernstein over at the TLS list, with virtually no  agreement confirmed. For now, I'll try to focus on the naming issue.

Is it that "safe" means something less than "secure" in the conventional sense above? And safe is the best that can be hoped for in ECC, and maybe all PKC? That's just too strong to say.

To be constructive, I suggest a name: "minimal - coefficient Montgomery" curves. Implicit in this name is that minimality is subject avoiding known DLP attacks, though the Monty should tip one of the crypto app. The short name could be "mini Monty".

From: Watson Ladd
Sent: Wednesday, January 8, 2014 12:11 PM
To: cfrg@irtf.org
Subject: [Cfrg] Safecurves draft

Dear all,
draft-ladd-safecurves contains the Safecurves with orders
2^255+\epsilon and higher.
I forgot to update the TOC, but that shouldn't stop the substantive
conversation.

Does anyone object to these curves being approved for IETF standard
body use/typos/general nastiness?
Sincerely,
Watson Ladd
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