FIRST DRAFT Note: I especially welcome corrections as I suspect there are inaccuracies. In a few places, there are ??? where I have doubts or the item is incomplete. Thanks Stafford ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Draft Minutes Board of Directors Meeting EUROCRYPT '98 Helsinki, Finland May 31, 1998 Present: Kevin McCurley(President), Tom Berson, Whitfield Diffie, Arto Karila, Andrew Klapper, Ueli Maurer, Kaisa Nyberg, Eiji Okamoto, Tatsuaki Okamoto, Birgit Pfitzmann, Bart Preneel, Jimmy Upton, Paul Van Oorschot, T. Matsumoto, Miki Swick and Sally Vito(IACR Secretariat), and Stafford Tavares. 1. Welcome and Identification of proxies Kevin called the meeting to order and asked if there were any proxies. The following proxies were identified: Jimmy Upton for Andy Clark Bart Preneel for Peter Landrock Kevin McCurley for Joan Feigenbaum 2. Review and Approval of Agenda There were no changes to the Agenda. 3. Review and Approval of minutes from Board Meeting of CRYPTO '97 The minutes were approved as circulated. 4. Membership Secretary Report Circulated(hardcopy prepared by Andy Clark) Andt: Do you want to give me an ASCII version or digest? 5. Treasurer's Report Executive Summary In 1997, we saw an increase in the funds in the IACR accounts. The increase seems appropriate based on our growing membership and conference attendance. We have taken on the additional financial burden of a paid secretariat and have made arrangements for its funding. All is well. Some Numbers Assets (December 31, 1996) $180,000 Assets (December 31, 1997) $240,000 Increase in assets $60,000 Primary sources of increase: Crypto '97 excess $20,000 "On hold" to pay secretariat $10,000 Increased membership $10,000 Increased dues (from $60 to $72) $10,000 Note that most of these amounts (secretariat, increased membership and increased dues) are advance payments for services that the IACR will eventually be required to pay. So this amount are not "real" increases in assets, only additional "float". Eurocrypt '97 - Exactly break even. Crypto '97 - Approximately $20,000 return + $10,000 for the secretariat The Secretariat UCSB Campus Conference Services has been retained to handle the duties of the secretariat. The fee will be $25,000 per year plus expenses. The estimated total cost will be between $30,000 and $35,000 per year. The current intent is to have the costs of the secretariat funded approximately equally by Crypto, Eurocrypt, and the membership dues. I therefore plan to recommend (in August) that the dues for 1999 be raised to $80 regular and $40 student (from their current levels of $72/$36). Motion(Oorschot/ Berson) The Board thanks Jimmy and Andy for their their contributions to the IACR and welcomes Miki Swick and Sally Vito from UCSB. Carried. 6. Journal of Cryptology Report(Joan Feigenbaum) Submissions in 1997: ==================== Total: 46 Rejected: 24 Accepted or conditionally accepted: 13 No decision yet: 9 We should be accepting about 16 submissions per year in order to stay in steady state, i.e., to have neither an increase nor a decrease in the backlog, which is now approximately 12 to 15 months. So 1997 statistics appear to be on target. Submissions in 1998: ==================== They seem to be coming in at approximately the same rate as they did in 1998. There have been 18 so far, and it is roughly the end of May; if things continue at this pace, there will be 43.2 submissions in 1998, compared with 46 in 1997. One of the 1998 submissions has already been rejected, and the others are in the refereeing process. Older submissions: ================== A few months ago, Gilles sent me records of 17 unresolved submissions from before 1997, and I am in the process of resolving them. One of them has already been rejected since I got these files from Gilles. Special issue planned: ====================== Oded Goldreich has solicited submissions for a special issue of papers from the cryptologically-related part of PODC '97. (PODC is the ACM Conference on Principles of Distributed Computing.) He is handling them very well, and it promises to be a good special issue. Editorial board changes: ======================== Adi Shamir, Jim Massey, and Andy Yao resigned. Moni Naor and Bart Preneel have joined. At the end of 1998, I plan to make some more changes. I will tell people whom I want to remove from the Ed. Board that 1999 will be the last year of my first three-year term, that it will be the last year of their terms as well, and that I'd like them to make sure that all submissions they're handling are wrapped up as soon as possible in 1999. I want to use this opportunity to remove some Ed. Board members who aren't doing the job well, but I think I will also ask some senior people who are doing the job well to step down, because there are many junior people who deserve a chance to serve and will (I hope!) also do the job well. Electronic publishing and contract re-negotiation: ================================================== Tom Berson handled these matters with Springer-NY, and I believe he will report on them at the meeting. Possible page increase: ======================= Springer-NY has proposed an increase in the number of pages, in order to shorten the backlog. I told them (1) that we cannot even consider approving an increase until we know how much it will cost the membership, and (2) I am not sure that we would want to increase the number of pages even if the cost were affordable, because I think a 12- or 15-month backlog is tolerable, and the backlog does not seem to be increasing right now. Sabrina Paris at Springer-NY has promised to get back to me with the price of the increase, and I have just sent her a reminder. My instinct is not to increase the page count right now. I don't see evidence that the number of acceptable submissions is currently rising, and it would be dreadful to be in a situation in which we couldn't be as selective as we wanted to be and still ensure a steady publication flow. I think it's prudent to wait at least until the end of 1998; if the number of submissions in 1998 is actually smaller than the number in 1997, and the number of acceptable submissions is no greater than in 1997, then there would appear to be little reason if any to increase the page count. I would like to hear others' views on the page count. Journal of Cryptology Report Addendum Since I sent my report, there have been several updates: 1) Sabrina Paris from Springer NY gave me the following cost estimate for 84-page issues: $5768 per issue. I still think that the number of acceptable submissions does not justify a page-budget increase at this time, but perhaps the Board should at least consider whether the cost could reasonably be paid by the membership. 2) Don Coppersmith has resigned from the Editorial Board after many years of excellent service. (He is tired of nagging referees.) I have asked a highly qualified person to replace him and am waiting to hear back from that person. 3) The total number of 1998 submissions is 20, one of which has already been accepted in final form and several (I forget exactly how many) have already been rejected. Tom Berson said that at EUROCRYPT last year he was asked to negotiate with Springer-Verlag. He said that Springer appears to be more than one company. The New York Office deals with the Journal and Heidelberg handles the conference proceedings. Tom said he has negotiated a contract with Springer which ends in 2002. The major issue was electronic rights. Springer "LINK" will sell this service. IACR members will have free access for two years. The Journal will cost $49. for members for 1998 and 1999. 7. Journal Page Budget The issue of a page increase is a red herring and should be ignored. Kevin informed the Board that he has a copy of the contract. Andy Klapper asked if Springer will implement forward referencing. Answer ??? Bart Preneel suggested that the IACR could develop an electronic version of the Journal. Kevin recalled that electronic publishing was resisted in the past. Kevin expressed thanks on behalf of the Board for all that Tom had done on behalf of the IACR in our negotiations with Springer. Kevin said that he had a different view: Springer looks forward to the challenge of electronic publishing(and not as a cliff to fall over). Ueli Maurer said the he and Ron Rivest had been asked by Springer to be Editors of a hardcover series in cryptography. The series will cover mature topics in security and cryptography. Kevin noted that Springer sees that material on cryptography sells well. It was decided to move up the item on the CD-ROM(#18) 18. CD-Rom of Proceedings(McCurley) Kevin reported that the CD-ROM is not available(it will contain material from the IACR conferences). Some of the delay is due to the fact that Springer is working on a good index. They are scanning the pages of the Proceedings, but they are having trouble with this. Paul Van oorschot wondered if they had received permission form Plenum. It appears that they have done this. Alan Gersho was the organizer of CRYPTO '81 and the question as to who has the rights to this material was asked. Kevin said that in his view, PostScript is the wrong format. 8. Newsletter Report Kevin said that the newsletter is not being produced. Fritz has moved and things are not back on track. He is also not happy with the content - it is not good value for the money. He suggested that the IACR should move to an electronic newsletter. There was a general discussion of the role and format of the Newsletter. Kevin expressed an interest in producing the Newsletter(after his term as president expires). Diffie suggested that the IACR should approach "Cipher" to publish the Newsletter. Tom's view was that the paper version of the Newsletter has died and we should not revive it. Tom said that he is the Chair of the IEEE Society on Security and Privacy which publishes the Cipher newsletter. Around 5~6 thousand people receive it. Avi Rubin and Paul Syverson are the Editors. The Editor of the IACR newsletter could send it to Sally Vito who could then distribute it to the IACR members. After further discussion the following motion was moved: Motion(Berson/Diffie) move that we change the primary medium of the Newsletter from paper to electronic. And that the Board view the electronic newsletter as meeting all the requirements of the bylaws. Carried(14 for/ none against). In view of the above motion, it was agreed that the IACR write to members and seek their written request to receive a paper version of the Newsletter. 9. Scheduling of Conferences(McCurley) The Program Chair of CRYPTO '98, Hugo Krawczyk, has reported that the quality of papers is down this year. This may be due in part to a scheduling problem, in that EUROCRYPT was late this year. It would be helpful to increase the spacing between the conferences(6 months). It was noted that the the latest date that UCSB could host CRYPTO was the second week of September. The ideal for the three IACR conferences would be about four months apart. Kaisa Nyberg said that very good papers were submitted to EUROCRYPT this year and that we should beware of drawing false conclusions. Discussion of ASIACRYPT was delayed Report on EUROCRYPT Arto Karila reported that there were 404 participants. The breakeven registrations was 300 and he was expecting an $18K surplus. He said there was more sponsor money than breakeven. ??? Prblems: Student speakers were given free tickets(would be more generous)??? He would also be making refunds for the CD-ROMS in cash. The organizers had cheduled 15 minutes for the business meeting on Wednesday. Discussion of ASIACRYPT Eiji Okamoto asked te Board Members to look at the handout. Kevin said that Tom and himself had attended the Asiacrypt Steering Committee(ASC) meeting. Eiji requested that the IACR modify the Bylaws to make ASIACRYPT an official IACR conference. Kevin said it was a big step for the IACR to take on a third conference. he also feels very strongly about supporting Asian particiation. He also posed a number of isues that would have to be resolved, such as handling of money and the organization. There would be trouble getting a quorum. Eiji asked if it was necessary to hold a board meeting at ASIACRYPT. Tom reminded the Board that it had invited the ASC to bring a proposal to the Board meeting. There is good work being done in cryptography in Asia, and there are an increasing number of authors. The IACR could take a risk, and he preferred that it did . Kevin agreed and suggested that they refine their proposal. Jimmy observed that it would be necessary to modify the IACR Bylaws for ASIACRYPT. Ueli proposed that that we should set rules for ASIACRYPT , such as the selection of the Program Committee. It was pointed out that the Board should decide on the Program Chair. The ASC would look after the organizational aspects. Kevin asked who would be on the Board if the IACR sponsored ASIACRYPT. Tom suggested that this could be a role of the ASC. Jimmy observed that we also need an European Steering Committee. Kevin said that the discussion had identified the following important issues: * The Chair of the Program Committee will be chosen by the Board of Directors * Financial responsibility for the conference has to be resolved * Who from ASIACRYPT will serve on the Board(a suggestion is the Chair of the ASC). Birgit asked why not the General Chair be the person to serve on the Board. The following motion was moved: Motion(Berson/Preneel): Move that the IACR will sponsor the ASIACRYPT series of conferences starting with ASIACRYPT 2000. The Asiacrypt Steering Committee will solicit proposals and make recommendations to the IACR Board. The IACR Board will select a proposal and officially appoint the ASIACRYPT General Chair. The IACR Board will select the ASIACRYPT Program Chair. The ASIACRYPT General Chair will be a member of the IACR Board in the year before and the year of the conference. The Chair of the Asiacrypt Steering Committe will be an observer of the IACR Board. Motion carried(11 for/0 against). 11. IACR 1998 Election(McCurley) Kevin said this is an important election year. The Board needs to create a Nominating Committee. He also noted that many Officers will retire. Preneel, Maurer and Tatsuaki Okamoto(??) volunteered to serve on the Nominating Committee. Bart will be the Chair and Maurer will be the Returning Officer. 12. Status of CRYPTO '98(Klapper) Andy Klapper said that there will be no group photograph. There have been 50 registrations to date. Kevin wondered if Andy would be interested in videotaping the presentations at CRYPTO '98. It was suggested that we should look at the website at www.msri.org . 13. EUROCRYPT '99(Prague, Hruby) The organizers expected 400 delegates to attend. The conference will be held at the Hilton Hotel located at the city centre. There are other hotels within 15 minutes of the Hilton. The Hilton will cost around (U.S.)$130. per night. The Registration fee will be (U.S.)$530. They had received a Grant of (U.S.)$24,000. He expected 15~20 students who would receive stipends. 14. Status of CRYPTO '99 Kevin reported that a General chair has not yet been appointed. The date selected is 15-19 Aug. 1999. 15. Status of EUROCRYPT 2000(Preneel) Bart said that the date for the conference is 14-18 May, 2000. The lecture hall holds 550. The registration fee will be around (U.S.)$450. 16. EUROCRYPT 2001 Kevin said he was expecting a proposal from Austria and perhaps one from the HP Labs in the U.K.(Bath). He asked if we should encourage them to make a presentation at CRYPTO '98?. We should solicit proposals but keep the process open. 17. Status of "In Cooperation With" designation Kevin proposed that the IACR decline all requests, but list workshops of interest on the webpage. Exceptions would be the Oakland Conference(IEEE) and ASIACRYPT. The case for the Oakland conference was based on a longstanding relationship and a wish to cooperate with the IEEE. 18.CD-ROM of Proceedings(McCurley) It was noted that this item has already been dealt wth. 19. Tutorials Kevin said that no one has come forward with proposals. Ueli said we have to distinguish between academic and commercial tutorials. 20. Other Business Paul raised the matter of Springer and copyright agreement with the IACR. Birgit said that the IACR does not have a copyright agreement with Springer for conferences. Diffie said that the IACR should shield individual authors from Springer in dealing with copyright. Kevin said that he will talk to Alferd Hofmann(Springer). Tom reminded the Board that at present, authors had the rights to copyright. Jimmy suggested that the Board should remind Springer of our agreement re the Journal(for reference see the Springer Webpage: www.springer.de/comp/lncs/copyright.html). We should ask Hugo not to forward the copyright forms to authors. Andy Klapper reported that he had been approached by the CIA. They requested that he report back on activities and conversations at CRYPTO. Eiji Okamoto said that we needed a formal proposal for ASIACRYPT 2000 at CRYPTO '98. Birgit asked that the conference guidelines be sent to Okamoto. Okamoto observed that ASIACRYPT '99 will have the "in cooperation with" designation. 21. Draft Agenda for General Business Meeting The Agenda would include a review of upoming conferences. Other items would include: the financial report, membership secretary report, newsletter, elections, and the CD-ROM. 22. Review of Action Items Election Copyright General Chair of CRYPTO '98 Springer LINK Access ASIACRYPT Newsletter Bylaws 23. Motion to adjourn carried. The meeting adjourned at 5:20PM Respectfully Stafford Tavares Secretary ----- End Included Message -----