Conference Description
Key Takeaways
- Canada’s leading cryptography research conference
- Focus on applied and post-quantum cryptography
- Features both a main conference and a summer school
- Targets researchers, academics, and industry professionals
- Emphasizes design, analysis, and efficient implementation of cryptographic systems
Selected Areas in Cryptography (SAC) 2026 is recognized as Canada’s premier event for cryptography research. The 33rd edition will be hosted at the University of Ottawa from August 26 to 28, 2026, with a preceding SAC Summer School on August 24 and 25. This annual conference brings together experts and emerging talent to discuss the latest advances in cryptographic theory and practice.
Overview of SAC 2026
SAC 2026 serves as a vital forum for the cryptography community, offering a platform for researchers, practitioners, and academics to present and exchange ideas. The event is co-located with the International Conference on Privacy, Security, and Trust (PST 2026), further broadening its impact within the security and privacy sectors.
The conference is structured to foster both technical learning and professional networking. Attendees benefit from a blend of research presentations, workshops, and interactive sessions, all designed to advance the field of cryptography.
Main Topics and Special Focus
The core themes of SAC 2026 include the design and analysis of symmetric key primitives, cryptosystems, and cryptographic algorithms. Special attention is given to block and stream ciphers, hash functions, MAC algorithms, and authenticated encryption. Efficient implementations of both symmetric and public key algorithms are also highlighted.
For 2026, the conference places a strong emphasis on lattice-based and code-based cryptography, reflecting the growing importance of post-quantum security. Mathematical and algorithmic aspects of applied cryptology remain central, ensuring the event addresses both theoretical and practical challenges.
Audience and Community Impact
SAC 2026 is tailored for cryptography researchers, academics, graduate students, and professionals in computer science, electrical engineering, and information security. The event attracts university faculty, PhD students, cryptographic engineers, and security architects from academia, government, and industry.
By providing a collaborative environment, SAC 2026 supports education, thought leadership, and community building. It also encourages academic collaboration and networking, helping to address emerging threats and advance cryptographic research for the future.