Applications Based on Symmetry in Applied Cryptography

Dear Colleagues,

In applied cryptography, symmetry often serves as a foundation, supporting many algorithms and protocols that secure the digital world. From classical symmetric key encryption to modern cryptographic constructs leveraging symmetry principles, this field has continually evolved to meet the escalating demands for security and efficiency. As we are now on the brink of new technological advancements, the field of applied cryptography is expanding rapidly, encompassing diverse areas such as blockchain, secure communications, digital payments, and beyond. Within this expansive landscape, symmetry plays a pivotal role in ensuring the integrity, confidentiality, and authenticity of data. However, as cyber threats become more advanced and digital systems become increasingly complicated, it will become vital to develop symmetry-based solutions that can effectively counter these threats while maintaining performance and usability. This Special Issue of Symmetry, titled "Applications Based on Symmetry in Applied Cryptography", will bring together researchers and practitioners from across the globe to share cutting-edge works on the application of symmetry in cryptography. We invite submissions that present novel methods, frameworks, or applications leveraging symmetry to address contemporary cryptographic challenges. All contributions will undergo rigorous peer review to ensure their quality and relevance to this Special Issue. Potential topics for submission include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Advanced symmetric encryption algorithms and their practical applications;
• Symmetry-based approaches for secure multi-party computations;
• Symmetric key management and distribution mechanisms;
• Cryptographic hash functions and their symmetry-based designs;
• Symmetry in blockchains: ensuring security and efficiency;
• Symmetry-inspired solutions for secure communications and data integrity;
• Practical implementations and performance evaluations of symmetry-based cryptographic protocols;
• Security analysis of existing symmetry-based cryptographic systems;
• Innovations in symmetric key cryptography for emerging technologies, such as quantum computing;
• Interdisciplinary applications of symmetry in cryptography, including cybersecurity, privacy preservation, and digital forensics.

We encourage submissions that are both theoretically and practically relevant, showcasing how symmetry can be harnessed to enhance the security and efficiency of cryptographic systems. Please ensure that all submitted papers align with the scope and standards of Symmetry.

We look forward to receiving your contributions and showcasing the latest advancements in symmetry-based applications in applied cryptography. Together, we can continue to push the boundaries of cryptographic research and ensure the security of our digital future.

Prof. Dr. Yining Liu
Prof. Dr. Yilei Wang
Prof. Dr. Yong Xie
Guest Editors

Dr. Pengfei Zhang
Dr. Hongyuan Cheng
Guest Editor Assistants

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Symmetry is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• advanced symmetric encryption algorithms
• symmetric key management
• security analysis
• cryptographic hash functions
• symmetry in blockchains