CRUX (Cryptography + User Experience)

Justin Troutman (http://justintroutman.com) joins us to explore the progression of cryptographic failure as a result of the poor interfacing of cryptographic concepts to consumers. CRUX, or "cryptography plus user experience," is based on the premise that real-world cryptography is not about cryptography at all; it's about product design — therefore, UX-driven. In order for cryptography to be beneficial, the surface for interfacing it must be benign and approachable, making it hard to get wrong, and easy to get right.

Justin Troutman is a cryptographer-for-hire who believes that realizing the cypherpunk dream depends on finding the sweet spot between a tactile, palatable user experience and consistently airtight OPSEC. His research interests include building and breaking authenticated encryption designs, analyzing HUMINT/SIGINT methodologies, and, now, seeing CRUX through to fruition. He also has the likely distinction of sporting the strongest Southern drawl of any cryptographer in history.