The complexity of Boolean functions from cryptographic viewpoint

Cryptographic Boolean functions must be complex to satisfy Shannon\u27s principle of confusion. But the cryptographic viewpoint on complexity is not the same as in circuit complexity. The two main criteria evaluating the cryptographic complexity of Boolean functions on $F_2^n$ are the nonlinearity (and more generally the $r$-th order nonlinearity, for every positive $r< n$) and the algebraic degree. Two other criteria have also been considered: the algebraic thickness and the non-normality. After recalling the definitions of these criteria and why, asymptotically, almost all Boolean functions are deeply non-normal and have high algebraic degrees, high ($r$-th order) nonlinearities and high algebraic thicknesses, we study the relationship between the $r$-th order nonlinearity and a recent cryptographic criterion called the algebraic immunity. This relationship strengthens the reasons why the algebraic immunity can be considered as a further cryptographic complexity criterion

Balanced Boolean Functions with Optimum Algebraic Immunity and High Nonlinearity

In this paper, three constructions of balanced Boolean functions with optimum algebraic immunity are proposed. The cryptographical properties such as algebraic degree and nonlinearity of the constructed functions are also analyzed

New balanced Boolean functions satisfying all the main cryptographic criteria

We study an infinite class of functions which provably achieve an optimum algebraic immunity, an optimum algebraic degree and a good nonlinearity. We checked that it has also a good behavior against fast algebraic attacks

A method of construction of balanced functions with optimum algebraic immunity

Because of the recent algebraic attacks, a high algebraic immunity is now an absolutely necessary (but not sufficient) property for Boolean functions used in stream ciphers. A difference of only 1 between the algebraic immunities of two functions can make a crucial difference with respect to algebraic attacks. Very few examples of (balanced) functions with high algebraic immunity have been found so far. These examples seem to be isolated and no method for obtaining such functions is known. In this paper, we introduce a general method for proving that a given function, in any number of variables, has a prescribed algebraic immunity. We deduce an algorithm for generating balanced functions in any odd number of variables, with optimum algebraic immunity. We also give an algorithm, valid for any even number of variables, for constructing (possibly) balanced functions with optimum (or, if this can be useful, with high but not optimal) algebraic immunity. We also give a new example of an infinite class of such functions. We study their Walsh transforms. To this aim, we completely characterize the Walsh transform of the majority function

New construction of Boolean functions with maximun algebraic immunity

Because of the algebraic attacks, a high algebraic immunity is now an important criteria for Boolean functions used in stream ciphers. In this paper, by using the relationship between some flats and support of a n variables Boolean function f, we introduce a general method to determine the algebraic immunity of a Boolean function and finally construct some balanced functions with optimum algebraic immunity

1-Resilient Boolean Function with Optimal Algebraic Immunity

In this paper, We propose a class of 2k-variable Boolean functions, which have optimal algebraic degree, high nonlinearity, and are 1-resilient. These functions have optimal algebraic immunity when k > 2 and u = -2^l; 0 = 2 and u = 2^l; 0 = 2, otherwise u