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Prof Britta Hale
photo by Julie Gloppe Solem

Britta Hale

Associate Professor
Department of Computer Science—Naval Postgraduate School

Contact:
Department of Computer Science
Code CS Naval Postgraduate School
Monterey, California 93943
Office: GE332
Research Interests
  • Applied Cryptography
  • Post-Quantum Security
  • Security in Limited and Disrupted Environments and Constricted Systems
  • Post-Compromise Guarantees

Founder: Applied Cryptologic Engineering (ACE)

Director: Implementing Technological Change Program

Contributor: Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)

2022-2023 Board of Directors: International Association for Cryptologic Research (IACR)

  • PhD in Telematics, Research field: Cryptography, 2017
    Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
    Dissertation: Low-Latency Key Exchange and Secure Channels
    Research Fellow

  • Masters of Science in the Mathematics of Cryptography and Communications, 2012
    Royal Holloway University of London, UK
    Dissertation: Digital Signatures in Network Coding: Linear Subspaces and Bilinear Pairing Stratagems
    Degree Awarded With Distinction
    International Excellence Scholarship

Over 70 Articles - Selected Example Publications:
  • Benjamin Dowling, Britta Hale, Xisen Tian, Bhagya Wimalasiri. Cryptography is Rocket Science. In Proceedings of Communications in Cryptology, 2025.
  • Douglas Van Bossuyt, Douglas Allaire, Jason Bickford, Thomas Bozada, Wei Chen, Roger Cutitta, Robert Cuzner, Kristen Fletcher, Ronald Giachetti, Britta Hale, Howie Huang, Michael Keidar, Astrid Layton, Allison Ledford, Marina Lesse, Jonathan Lussier, Richard Malak, Bryan Mesmer, Gregory Mocko, Giovanna Oriti, Daniel Selva, Cameron Turner, Michael Watson, Ana Wooley, Zhen Zeng. The Future of Digital Twin Research and Development. In Proceedings of the Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering (JCISE).
  • Mathieu Couillard, Britta Hale. DRACO: Production Network Deployment and Evaluation of Deceptive Defense As-a-Service. In Proceedings of IEEE International Conference on Big Data CyberHunt. 2024
  • Christopher Britt, Andre Leon, Britta Hale. An Analysis of Operational Security Requirements for Unmanned Systems. In Proceedings of Naval Engineering Journal (NEJ), 2024.
  • Andre Leon, Christopher Britt, Britta Hale. Multi-Device Security Application for Unmanned Surface and Aerial Systems. In Proceedings of Drones, 2024.
  • Christian Thiessen, Douglas L. Van Bossuyt, Britta Hale. Reducing Asymmetry in Countering Unmanned Aerial Systems. In Proceedings of Naval Engineering Journal (NEJ), 2023.
  • Douglas L. Van Bossuyt, Britta Hale, Ryan Arlitt, and Nikolaos Papakonstantinou. Zero-Trust for the System Design Lifecycle.
    • In Proceedings of the Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering (JCISE), 2023.
  • B. Hayden, M. Sweeney, B. Hale. Securing Software Updates under Receiver Radio Frequency Geolocation Risk.IEEE MILCOM, 2022.
  • D. L. Van Bossuyt, B. Hale, R. M. Arlitt, N. Papakonstantinou. Multi-Mission Engineering With Zero Trust: A Modeling Methodology and Application to Contested Offshore Wind Farms. In Proceedings of the ASME 2022 IDETC. 2022 Systems Engineering, Information, and Knowledge Management (SEIKM) Technical Committee Best Paper Award
  • C. H. Lee, D. L. Van Bossuyt, B. Hale. A Systems Analysis of Energy Usage and Effectiveness of a Counter-Unmanned Aerial System Using a Cyber-Attack Approach. In Proceedings of MDPI Drones Journal, 2022.
  • E. Dietz, B. Hale, D. Davis. Utilizing the Messaging Layer Security Protocol in a Lossy Communications Aerial Swarm. In Proceedings of the Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, 2022.
  • V. Kanth and B. Hale. Blockchain-based Authenticated Stego-Channels: A Security Framework and Construction. In Proceedings of BLOCKCHAIN 2022.
  • B. Hale and C. Komlo. On End-to-End Encryption. In IACR ePrint 2022.
  • B. Dowling and B. Hale. Secure Messaging Authentication against Active Man-in-the-Middle Attacks. In RWC 2022.
  • C. S. Tan, D.L. Van Bossuyt, B. Hale. System Analysis of Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems Kill Chain in an Operational Environment. In Proceedings of MDPI Systems Engineering Journal 2021.
  • C. Cremers, B. Hale, K. Kohbrok. The Complexities of Healing in Secure Group Messaging: Why Cross-Group Effects Matter. In Proceedings of USENIX 2021.
  • B. Dowling and B. Hale. Secure Messaging Authentication against Active Man-in-the-Middle Attacks. In Proceedings of IEEE EuroS&P 2021.
  • B. Hale, D. J. Van Bossuyt, N. Papakonstantinou, and O’Halloran. A Zero-Trust Methodology for Security of Complex Systems With Machine Learning Components. In Proceedings of the ASME 2021 IDETC/CIE2021.
  • M. Sjoholmsierchio, B. Hale, D. Lukaszewski, and G. Xie. Strengthening SDN Security: Protocol Dialecting and Downgrade Attacks. In IEEE NetSoft. 2021.
  • N. Papakonstantinou, D. J. Van Bossuyt, J. Linnosmaa, B. Hale, B. and O’Halloran. A Zero Trust Hybrid Security and Safety Risk Analysis Method. In Proceedings of the Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering (JCISE) 2021.
  • D. Brutzman, T. Norbraten, J. Culbert, and B. Hale. Blockchain Mergence for Distributed Ledgers Supporting Fleet Logistics and Maintenance. In Acquisition Research Symposium 2021.
  • M. Troncoso and B. Hale. The Bluetooth CYBORG: Analysis of the Full Human-Machine Passkey Entry AKE Protocol. In NDSS 2021.
  • M. Sjoholmsierchio, B. Hale, D. Lukaszewski, and G. Xie. Strengthening SDN Security: Protocol Dialecting and Downgrade Attacks. In arXiv ePrint. 2020.
  • N. Papakonstantinou, D. J. Van Bossuyt, J. Linnosmaa, B. Hale, B. and O’Halloran. Towards a Zero Trust Hybrid Security and Safety Risk Analysis Method. In Proceedings of the ASME 2020 IDETC/CIE2020.
  • B. Hale. User-Mediated Authentication Protocols and Unforgeability in Key Collision. International Journal of Information Security (IJIS), 2020.
  • C. Cremers, B. Hale, and K. Kohbrok. Revisiting Post-Compromise Security Guarantees in Group Messaging. IACR Cryptology ePrint 2019.
  • B. Hale. User-Mediated Authentication Protocols and Unforgeability in Key Collision. In Proc. ProvSec 2018.
  • C. Boyd and B. Hale. Secure Channels and Termination: The Last Word on TLS. In Proc. Latincrypt 2017. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 11368. Springer.
  • C. Rikardsen, B. Hale, and S.F. Mjølsnes. User Understanding and Perspectives on End-to-End Encrypted Instant Messaging Apps. In Proc. NISK 2017.
  • F. Günther, B. Hale, T. Jager, and S. Lauer. 0-RTT Key Exchange with Full Forward Secrecy. In Proc. EUROCRYPT’17, volume 10212 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 2017.
  • B. Hale, T. Jager, S. Lauer, and J. Schwenk. Simple Security Definitions for and Constructions of 0-RTT Key Exchange. In Proc. Applied Cryptography and Network Security (ACNS) 2017. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 10355. Springer, 2017.
  • C. Boyd, B. Hale, S.F. Mjølsnes and D. Stebila. From Stateless to Stateful: Generic Authentication and Authenticated Encryption Constructions with Application to TLS. In Proc. RSA Conference on Topics of Cryptology (CT-RSA) 2016 volume 9610 pages 55–71. Springer, 2016.
  • B. Hale, C. Carr, and D. Gligoroski. CARIBE: Cascaded IBE for Maximum Flexibility and User-side Control. In MyCrypt 2016.
  • B. Hale and C. Boyd. Computationally Analyzing the ISO 9798-2.4 Authentication Protocol. In Proc. SSR’14, volume 8893 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pages 236–255. Springer-Verlag, 2016.
Book Chapters
  • B. Hale, N. Bindel, D. L. Van Bossuyt. Quantum Computers – The Need for a New Cryptographic Strategy. Handbook for Management of Threats, Security and Defense, Resilience and Optimal Strategies. Accepted / to appear, Springer 2023.
  • D.L. Van Bossuyt, N. Papakonstantinou, B. Hale, J. Salonen. Model Based Resilience Engineering for Design and Assessment of Mission Critical Systems Containing AI ComponentsArtificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity: Theory and Applications. Accepted / to appear, Springer, 2023.
Example Selected Talks:
  • Transforming Communication Link Security in Pace with Technology. NMIOTC, Crete, 2023.
  • Hybridizing Post-Quantum Digital Signatures. Intel, Oregon, 2022.
  • Uncrewed:C2 Security and Offence. Battelle, Ohio, 2022.
  • Deniability, Untraceability, and New Opportunities for Old Ideas. Secure Key Exchange and Channel Protocols (SKECH), Bertinoro, Italy, 2022.
  • Cryptography for Defense. FFI, Lillestrøm, Norway, 2022.
  • Hybridizing Post-Quantum Digital Signatures. NTNU, Trondheim, Norway, 2022.
  • An Investigation of Post-Quantum Hybrids. Simula UiB, Bergen, Norway, 2022.
  • Panelist. Ukraine-Russia Conflict: A Panel Discussion. NPS, 2022.
  • Hybrid Post-Quantum Digital Signature Development. Intel, 2022.
  • Secure Messaging Protocols – Then, Now, and Next. Selected Areas of Cryptography (SAC) Summer School, Online, 2021.
  • Panelist. Monterey Bay Drone, Automation and Robotics Technology (DART) Symposium, Online, 2021.
  • Energy Systems and Cybersecurity. Advanced Regional Energy Symposium, Baku, Azerbaijan, 2021.
  • Asynchronous Group Messaging Security. Industry Network Technology Council Webinar, 2020.
  • PSKs and Their Use in MLS. IETF MLS Working Group, 2020.
  • The Reality of Secure Messaging: Users, Entity Authentication, and a World after Compromise. Stanford, 2019.
  • User authentication within groups. IETF-105, Montréal, Canada, 2019.
  • People! Protocol analysis to include the weakest link. MSR, Redmond, Washington, USA, 2019.
  • Customizing Public Key Encryption: Thinking beyond PKI. NPS, Monterey, California, USA, 2019.
  • Regaining a Competitive Edge in Cyber Security. Big Ideas Exchange, Monterey, California, USA, 2018.
  • Cryptography in a Brave New World. NPS, Monterey, California, USA, 2018.
  • Frustrasjoner og løsninger om sakte sikkerhetsoppsett [Ultra-Efficiency with Security]. SINTEF Ledersamling, Trondheim, Norway, 2018.
  • Sikkerhet i en digital verden med hackere hakk i hæl [Security in a Digital World with Hackers at the Heels]. Forsker Grand Prix, Trondheim, Norway, 2017.
  • Secure Channels. TLS 1.3: Design, Implementation & Verification Workshop, Paris, France, 2017.
  • Deep Web and Dark Web. Samfundsmøte, Trondheim, Norway, 2017.
  • The Signal Protocol. CryptoParties, Trondheim, Norway, 2017.
  • Secure Channels and Termination: The Last Word on TLS. Bertinoro, Italy, 2017.
  • A Hierarchy of Authentication and Authenticated Encryption Constructions with Application to TLS TU Darmstadt, Germany, 2016.
  • A Perfect Memory: Key Compromise in an Efficiency-centric World . Crypto vs. Mass Surveillance Workshop, Trondheim, Norway, 2016.
  • Implications between Authentication Levels and Secure Termination. CryptoAction Working Group 2 Protocol Analysis, Sofia, Bulgaria, 2015.
Program Committees and Other Service
  • Real World Cryptography program committee
  • ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security (CCS) program committee 2025
  • Communications in Cryptology program committee 2025
  • Journal of Cryptology 2024
  • HICSS Cyber Systems Minitrack co-chair 2025
  • Communications in Cryptology program committee 2024
  • HICSS Cyber Systems Minitrack co-chair 2024
  • Journal of Cryptology 2023
  • General Chair, CRYPTO 2023
  • Security and Standardization Research (SSR) 2023
  • HICSS Cyber Systems Minitrack co-chair 2023
  • Journal of Cryptology 2022
  • EuroS&P 2022
  • HICSS Cyber Systems Minitrack co-chair 2022
  • Selected Areas of Cryptography (SAC) 2021
  • NSF grant reviewer 2021
  • IEEE Journal Transactions on Dependable and Secure Computing (TDSC) 2021
  • HICSS Cyber Systems Minitrack program committee 2021
  • Journal of Cryptology 2020
  • HICSS Cyber Systems Minitrack program committee 2020
  • NSF grant reviewer 2020
  • Theory of Cryptography Conference (TCC) 2020
  • Journal of Cryptology 2019
  • Security and Standardization Research (SSR) 2019
  • Security and Standardization Research (SSR) 2018
  • Eurocrypt 2016
  • IEEE Journal Transactions on Dependable and Secure Computing (TDSC) SI 2016
  • PASSWORDS 2015

    • NPS Faculty Council Member (2020-2024)

    NPS Faculty Council Scholarship Committee (2021-2023)

    NPS Faculty Council Scholarship Committee Chair (2023-2024)

    NPS Alternate Academic Council Member (2020-2022)

    General Chair, CRYPTO 2023

    Selected Supervised Master's Projects and Theses
      Current
    • LT Noah Greene
    • CPT Sypridon Tassopoulos (Greece, Army)
    • LCDR Douglas Pinheiro Mazzuco (Brazil, Navy)
    • Mr Joseph Lukefahr
    • Maj. Paul Westland
    • LT Alexander Clark
    • LT Xisen Tian
    • LCDR Joshua Nach
      Completed
    • Capt Alexander Beal (2024) Recipient of the NPS Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper Computer Science Award — An Optimized Delivery Service for the Message Layer Security Protocol over Challenged Networks
    • LT Grant Knott (2024) — Applied Cryptography in Ad-Hoc, Over the Horizon Drone Relays for Ship-to-Shore Communication
    • Ms. Madhurima Cevallos, Mr. Adam Gershen, Mr. Joshua Kirkland, Mr. Andrew Mason-Leister, Mr. Zachary Richards (2024) — Multi-Parameter Analysis of a Hybrid Airship for Homeland Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance
    • LCDR Adam Arndt (2024) — Feasibility of Utilizing Messaging Layer Security to Securely Transmit Data Over Low Band Frequencies
    • Leutnant zur See Jan Kirstein (Germany, 2023) — Irregular Network Modelling and Simulation
    • LT Camdon Muncy (2023) — Navy Additive Manufacturing Afloat, Data Security Analysis
    • LT Ching Ting Yuan (2023) — Autonomous Device Communication Security Effects on Radio Frequency
    • Maj. Aaron Chengyi Seow (Singapore, 2023) — Analysis of a Multi-Layer System of Systems in Counter-UAS
    • Maj Mathieu Couillard (Canada, Armed Forces) (2023) Outstanding Thesis Award, Graduation with Distinction Award, Kildall Award for Computing Innovation, NPS Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper Computer Science Award, NPS Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for International Students — The Role of Deceptive Cyber Defense in Cyber Strategy
    • LT Charles Eilertsen, Allen Greene, Luke Loukas, Jacob VanWhy (2023) Outstanding Thesis Award — Research on Potential UAS CONOPS for USN and USCG Ships
    • ENS Alexander Tum (2023) — A Risk Analysis of Software Dependencies for the AI/ML Supply Chain
    • Matthew Grant, Matthew Hunter, Kathleen Nuzzo, Eric Toth (2023) — Command and Control of Unmanned Systems for Emissions Control Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations
    • Christine Norton, Wesley Kenyon, Joshua Kejsar, Michael Darnell (2023) — High Value Unit (HVU) Self-Escort Against Autonomous Aerial Threats
    • Jason Behling, Fernando Fuentes, Larry Mannings, Golda Morgan, and Jonathan Schinowsky (2022) Outstanding Thesis Award — Counter UxS Energy and Operational Analysis
    • LT Floyd Lewis (2022) Outstanding Thesis Award — Comparing and Contrasting Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S) modeling performance under non-contested and contested environments.
    • Maj Thomas Schindler (2022) — Identification, Analysis, and Simulation of Attacks Using Recovered Radio Network Temporary Identifiers on 5G User Equipment
    • Major Chee Hoe Lee (Singapore, Airforce) (2022) Outstanding Thesis Award — System Analysis on Counter-Unmanned Aerial System Operations Energy Usage and Requirements
    • LT Andre Leon & LT Christopher Britt (2022) Recipients of the Fleet Cyber Award — UxS Cryptologic Protocol Requirements for Multidomain Operation and Joint Interoperability
    • Capt Christian Thiessen (2022) — Redesigning the Counter Unmanned Systems Architecture
    • CPT Nektaria Patrozou (Greece, Army) (2022) — SDN Dialecting Security
    • Elyssa Dietz (2022) — Implementing MLS protocol in a UAV Swarm: Validating the Removal of a Compromised UAV
    • Maj Choon Seng Tan (Singapore, Army) (2021) — System Analysis of Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems Kill Chain in an Operational Environment
    • LCDR Boswyck Offord II and LT Allen Golphin III (2021) — Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) Interoperability in the Global Geopolitical Environment
    • LT Fritz Hain (2021) Recipient of an Outstanding Thesis Award — Adaptive Machine Learning-Based Steganographic Model for Subverting Censorship
    • GySgt John Lytle (2021) Recipient of an Outstanding Thesis Award — Performance of Hybrid Signature Generation and Verification for Public Key Infrastructure Certificates
    • LT Duc Nguyen (2020) — Hardening Automated Identification Systems: Providing Integrity Through an Application of Lightweight Cryptographic Techniques
    • Capt Michael Troncoso (2020) Recipient of an Outstanding Thesis Award and the Gary Kildall Award for Computing Innovation — A Cryptographic Analysis of Bluetooth's Human-Machine Authenticated Key Exchange Protocols
    • Aaron Daponte, Gregory Maguire, and Calvin Roldan (2020) — Unmanned Aerial System Risk Management Decision Matrix
    • LT Michael Sjoholmsierchio (2019) — Software-Defined Networks: Protocol Dialects
    • Charlotte Rikardsen (2017) — Secure Instant Messaging End-to-End - Analysis of Security Protocols
    • Eirik Klevstad (2016) — Security and Key Establishment in IEEE 802.15.4
    • Øystein Løvdal Andersen (2016) — Security of Internet of Things Protocol Stacks
    • Jonas Toreskås (2016) — Secure Termination in Real-World Security Protocols
    • Mari Bergendahl (2016) — The Cost of Crypt-by-Default in IoT Master Project
    • Kristian Weium Lange (2015) — Enhanced Privacy ID for Authentication in the Internet of Things
    • Steffen Fredrik Birkeland and Jonathan Hansen (2015) — Android App Communication Using the Tor network Only
    • Henriette Chiem (2015) — Security of Domestic Products in the IoT
    • Christian A. Hansen and Håkon Nymo Matland (2014) — Security of Mobile Payments using Low Energy Bluetooth
    Course Titles Taught/Supported
    • Post-Quantum Resiliency System Integration Strategy and Management
    • Cryptographic Protocol Design and Attacks
    • E-Voting Security
    • Harnessing AI
    • Introduction to Computer Security
    • Network Security
    • Foundations of Computer Science
    • Introduction to Statistics
    • Wireless Network Security
    • Applied Cryptography and Network Security
    • Precalculus and Trigonometry
    Courses and Curricula Designed
    • Post-Quantum Resiliency System Integration Strategy and Management
    • Cryptographic Protocol Design and Attacks
    • Advocating Emerging Technologies
    • E-Voting Security
    • Leading Technological Change (Certificate)
    • Harnessing AI: Security and Adversarial Al
    Selected Research Visits
    • University of California, Berkeley, U.S.
    • Microsoft Research (MSR), Washington, U.S.
    • CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security, Germany
    • University of Oxford, UK
    • Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany
    • Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany
    Other Roles and Positions, past and present
    • Member: Consortium for Intelligent Systems Education and Research (CISER)
    • Member: Cyber Academic Group (CAG)
    • Member: Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC)
    • Information Security Research Scientist, SINTEF Digital
    • Research Fellow, NTNU,
    • Statistical Analyst, Contract
    Selected Radio / TV / News
    • AI Bill of Rights, Safe/effective and Human Fallbacks Panel Discussion, Advanced Technology Academic Research Center (ATARC). 2023.
    • M. Schehl. NPS Student-Professor Team Connects Research to Marines in the Field. Interview. Communications, II MEF Information Group, (marines.mil). 2021.
    • M. Schehl. NPS Launches New Certificate Program in Implementing Technological Change. Interview. America's Navy (navy.mil Press Office, News Stories). 2021.
    • Lance Cpl. P. Katz. Naval Postgraduate School integration with I MIG. Interview. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (https://www.dvidshub.net/). 2021.
    • B. Hale. The Trident Room Podcast: Exchanging Big Ideas. Naval Postgraduate School. 2021. Interview. NPS Trident Room Podcast.
    • Sikkerhet i en digital verden med hackere hakk i hæl [Security in a Digital World with Hackers at the Heels] Forsker Grand Prix, Trondheim, Norway. 2017.
    • Deep Web and Dark Web Samfundsmøte, Trondheim, Norway, 2017
    • Sintef-forsker: – 2020 er ikke dommedag for kryptografi [SINTEF Researcher: 2020 is not Doomsday for Cryptography] Digi.no 2018 (behind a paywall)
    Selected Magazine and Blog Articles
    • C. Thiessen and B. Hale. Blocking Uncrewed Aircraft Threats with Bytes, Not Bullets. USNI, Innovation Cell. 2022.
    • C. Britt, A. Leon, B. Hale. C2 Superiority in an Era of Technological Competition. In Signal, AFCEA, 2022.
    • C. Britt, A. Leon, B. Hale. Asynchronous C2 and Multi-Device Capabilities in DON Networks. In CHIPS 2022.
    • B. Hale. Escaping the Innovation Bunker: Leadership for a Technological Revolution. In Proceedings of U.S. Naval Institute (USNI) 2021. Winner of the 2021 NPS Foundation/U.S. Naval Institute Annual Essay Contest
    • Hendelseshåndtering, kryptografi, og tilfellet WPA3 vs. TLS [Incident Management, Cryptography, and the Case of WPA3 vs. TLS] SINTEF 2018
    • Kompleksitet vs. Sikkerhet [Complexity vs. Security] SINTEF 2018
    • Kvantedatamaskiner vs. dagens kryptering: en katastrofe? [Quantum Computers vs. Today's Encryption: A Catastrophe?] SINTEF 2018

    Prof Britta Hale