Second Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) Candidate Conference 

                               Hotel Quirinale
                                  Rome, Italy
                               March 22-23, 1999

Sponsor:
        National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). 
Audience:
        An international audience consisting of cryptographers and other
        interested parties, who wish to participate in the evaluation and
        analysis of the fifteen candidate algorithms for the Advanced
        Encryption Standard (AES). This conference is being held
        immediately preceding the Fast Software Encryption Workshop
        1999 (FSE6) scheduled for March 24-26, 1999 at the same
        venue. 
Format:
        Primarily panel presentations and discussion by experts who have
        analyzed the candidate algorithms for security, efficiency, and
        other characteristics. Audience members and algorithm submitters
        will have an opportunity to question the panel regarding their
        findings. 
Purpose:
        In August 1998, NIST announced fifteen candidate algorithms
        which have been proposed for consideration for selection as the
        Advanced Encryption Algorithm to be incorporated in the Federal
        Information Processing Standard (FIPS) for Advanced
        Encryption Standard (AES). NIST has also solicited public
        comments on the candidates and also has been conducting its
        own efficiency-focused analysis. During the conference, attendees
        will hear results of experts' study of the fifteen AES candidate
        algorithms and recommendations for the selection of finalists (five
        or fewer). Also, NIST will present the results of its efficiency
        measurements of the candidate's performance. To further ensure a
        constructive and lively dialogue, submitters of the candidate
        algorithms will also be have an opportunity to provide their
        comments on the analysis of their algorithms (and on the other
        candidates). Simply put, the purpose of this conference will be to
        help answer the question: "Which algorithms merit selection for
        Round 2 and why?" 
Topics:
        At the conference NIST will invite speakers who have prepared
        particularly insightful and useful analysis of the candidates. This
        will include security analysis, efficiency analysis, as well as other
        germane comments (e.g., intellectual property). However, time
        constraints unfortunately will limit the number or presentations. 
Registration Contact:
        Lori Phillips Buckland, NIST, Building 101, Room B116,
        Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001, phone: 301/975-4513, fax:
        301/948-2067, email: Lori Phillips.
Technical Contact:
        Miles Smid, NIST, Building 820, Room 426, Gaithersburg, MD
        20899-0001, phone: 301/975-2938, fax: 301/948-1233, email:
        Miles Smid; or
	Jim Foti, NIST Building 820, Room 426,
        Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001, phone: 301/975-5237, fax:
        301/948-1233, email: Jim Foti.
Website:
	        Second Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) Candidate Conference Homepage
Electronic Registration:
        Web Registration