COSIC

COSIC (Computer Security and Industrial Cryptography group) provides a broad expertise in digital security and strives for innovative security solutions.

COSIC is headed by Bart Preneel.

News

  • COSIC Researchers Reveal Fundamental Weaknesses in Microsoft’s PhotoDNACOSIC Researchers Reveal Fundamental Weaknesses in Microsoft’s PhotoDNA
    A team from COSIC (Maxime Deryck, UGent; Diane Leblanc-Albarel, COSIC; Bart Preneel, COSIC) has uncovered major security vulnerabilities in PhotoDNA, the technology widely used to detect Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) across the internet. Since its introduction by Microsoft in 2009, PhotoDNA has become a global standard, relied upon by platforms such as Google, Instagram, ...
  • Nigel Smart wins RSAC 2026 Award for Excellence in the Field of MathematicsNigel Smart wins RSAC 2026 Award for Excellence in the Field of Mathematics
    COSIC is proud to announce that Prof. Nigel Smart has been selected as one of the recipients of the RSAC 2026 Award for Excellence in the Field of Mathematics, one of the most prestigious recognitions in the cybersecurity and cryptography community. The award, co‑sponsored by the International Association for Cryptologic Research (IACR), honors individuals whose foundational ...
  • Vincent Rijmen and Joan Daemen receive the BBVA Frontiers of Knowledge Award for designing AESVincent Rijmen and Joan Daemen receive the BBVA Frontiers of Knowledge Award for designing AES
    We are proud to announce that Professor Vincent Rijmen (COSIC, KU Leuven, Belgium and University of Bergen, Norway) and Professor Joan Daemen (Radboud University, The Netherlands) have been awarded the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Information and Communication Technologies. The award recognizes their design of the Rijndael algorithm, which became the Advanced Encryption ...

Selection of Key Publications