The Abel Prize, a prestigious award from the King of Norway and the Norwegian Academy of Science and named after Norwegian mathematician Niels Henrik Abel, is an award given to individuals or groups responsible for the biggest breakthroughs in mathematics. This time around, the award was given to Laszlo Lovasz, from Hungary, and Avi Wigderson, from Israel, for their contributions to computer security. The two were honored for their “foundational contributions to theoretical computer science and discrete mathematics, and their leading role in shaping them into central fields of modern mathematics.”
Lovasz, now 73, is affiliated with the Alfred-Renyi Institute of Mathematics and the Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest. He is credited with being responsible for establishing a connection between discrete mathematics, such as the theory of networks, and computer science, paving the way for today’s innovations that drive our everyday digital world. Together with Arjen and Hendrik Lenstra, the three developed the Lenstra-Lenstra-Lovasz (LLL) lattice basis reduction algorithm, with a pivotal role in fields such as number theory, cryptography, and mobile computing. According to the Academy, the algorithm serves as the basis for encryption systems that “can withstand an attack by a quantum computer.”
Wigderson, now 64, is a researcher for theoretical computer science at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.A., and is responsible for widening the understanding of “complexity theory.” This led to improvements and advancements in the field of internet cryptography, serving as the basis for technologies powering titans in the internet space, such as cryptocurrency.
According to Hans Munthe-Kaas, chair of the Abel Committee: “Thanks to the leadership of these two, discrete mathematics and the relatively young field of theoretical computer science are now established as central areas of modern mathematics.” Alongside the award, the two will also be given a prize of 7.5 million kroner, or around US$882,000.
Bibliography
- Phys.org. (2021, March 17). Cybersecurity pioneers win mathematics Abel Prize. Phys.org. Retrieved August 25, 2021, from https://phys.org/news/2021-03-cybersecurity-mathematics-abel-prize.html
