Aim

Trust4Futures aims to train a new workforce that can build new systems which can properly integrate trust, privacy and digital identity into the next generation of online services. These systems will be secure and private by design. To build this foundation, we aim to contribute to the development of deep skills in cryptography, AI, cybersecurity, and blockchain – both in academia and in business.

Learner Audience

The course is aimed at those currently within the tech industry and who have roles related to digital trust, but it is also open to those who aim to gain a foothold in the industry and become experts in the area of digital trust.

Key knowledge and skills for learners

Key knowledge areas include:

• Understanding of core areas of cryptography, including for symmetric key encryption, hashing and digital signatures.
• Application of knowledge of digital trust into key areas of digital signing, blockchain and digital ID.
• Outline the evolution of next-generation methods in digital trust, including homomorphic encryption and post-quantum cryptography.

Overview of course structure and syllabus

The Trust4Futures course has four main learning modules, and which are defined as workshops. Along with this, we have a conference at the end of the programme, which will disseminate information on future courses and opportunities for further learning. The programme has four taught units, which are delivered as two-hour lectures, a two-hour practical session, and a one-hour guest talk. These units are:

• Introduction to Cryptography: Basics of key-based encryption; Symmetric Key encryption; Hashing methods; and Public Key Methods (RSA and ECC).
• Public Key and Blockchain: Digital Certificates (X509); Digital Signing (ECDSA, EdDSA and RSA); Basics of Blockchain; and Cryptocurrency.
• Quantum and Cyber: Basics of AI integrated into Cybersecurity; Digital ID; and Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC).
• Future Cryptography: Homomorphic Encryption; AI and Private-aware Methods; Zero Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs); Secure Enclaves; and Cloud Security.

These involve on-line classes and are delivered through Zoom, and supported by a Web site (https://trust4futures.com). The main elements of review are for Web content, Workshop content and Student Feedback.

How the course is taught

The course will be delivered through four five-hour workshops and a conference event. The breakdown for each workshop is:

• Two-hour live lecture delivered live (lecturer taught). This lecture will cover the main content and allow for some interaction through an online Mentimeter test. The same pre-prepared will be recorded and placed on YouTube, with a link integrated into the Web site. A pre-recording of the lecture will be pre-prepared and placed on YouTube. A private record of the live lecture will be placed on Moodle and will not be available to those who are not registered for the course. All of the slides, lecture notes, code examples and public videos will be placed on the public website.
• Two-hour practical session delivered live, with a link integrated into the Web site (lecturer taught). A core learning objective of the course is to provide not only theory but the required practical skills. All of the demonstrations will be pre-recorded and made public on YouTube. All of the slides, lecture notes, code examples and public videos will be placed on the public website.
• One-hour guest speaker. This will involve a guest expert speaker and who will aim to provide insights into innovation and enterprise for related areas. This talk will be recorded and placed on YouTube, along with a recording as a podcast.

How the course is assessed

Within each workshop, there will be an interactive Mentimeter test, which covers the key concepts covered. In terms of formal assessment, there will be an MQC test taken at the end of each workshop and with around 30 questions with a time limit of 90 minutes. Each of the questions will have five answers; a correct answer will receive one mark, and some of the answers will be marked negatively (-0.2). If the question is not answered, it will receive a mark of zero. Each of the questions will be defined in key cognitive areas for topics, which will then be used to provide itemised feedback on topics. A pass grade will be 40%, and where students will be given the chance to retake the test for one more attempt. A pass in all of the assessments of the workshops will receive an award certificate.

Practical information

The course will run over Zoom sessions, and all of the content will be available through online content.