Crypto '98 is the 18th international conference on cryptology held at the University of California Santa Barbara. The academic program covers all aspects of cryptology; see the preliminary program. Formal proceedings, published by Springer-Verlag, will be provided to all attendees at the conference.

Crypto '98 is sponsored by the International Association for Cryptologic Research (IACR), in cooperation with the IEEE Computer Society Technical Committee on Security and Privacy, and the Computer Science Department of the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). The Program Chair is Hugo Krawczyk, and the General Chair is Andy Klapper.

In addition to selected and invited papers, there will be a rump session on Tuesday evening for selected informal presentations. Facilities are available for attendees to demonstrate hardware, software, and other items of cryptologic interest. If you are interested, contact the General Chair by 19 June 1998.

The social program will include hosted dinner receptions on Monday and Tuesday nights, and a beach barbecue on Wednesday evening. Breakfasts and lunches will be served at the university dining hall.

Conference Facilities: The workshop will be held on the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara. The campus is located adjacent to the Santa Barbara airport and the Pacific Ocean; free shuttle bus service from the airport is available. Reasonably priced accommodations are available in the university dormitories for participants and their registered guests. Space in dormitories is more limited than usual this year due to renovations, so participants are strongly encouraged to double up if possible. Children under the age of 13 are not allowed to stay in the dormitories, so those bringing younger children will need to make separate arrangements in one of the nearby hotels (see Hotels, below). A shuttle bus will be provided for those staying inthe designated hotels in Goleta. Parking on campus is available at no cost to participants, but a permit must be requested on arrival. Smoking inside campus buildings is prohibited.

Registration: The conference is open to all interested parties, but the number of attendees at the workshop is limited to 550; pre-registration is strongly advised. To register, fill out the accompanying registration form and return it to the address on the form along with payment received in full by 16 July 1998.Those bringing a guest are also required to submit the guest registration form. Campus accommodations will be available on a first come, first served basis for attendees who register by 16 July 1998. Registrations received after 16 July 1998 may be accepted if space is available but cannot be guaranteed. The conference fee includes participation in the program and all social functions, as well as membership in the IACR and a subscription to the Journal of Cryptology. The room and board charges include dormitory lodging Sunday night through Wednesday night, and breakfast and lunch on Monday through Thursday. Technical sessions will run from Monday morning to Thursday noon, with a free half day on Tuesday afternoon.

A limited number of stipends are available to students unable to obtain funding. Preference will be given to those who are presenting papers at the conference. Students are invited to apply if such assistance is needed. Requests for stipends should be received by the General Chair before 19 June 1998. Students registering for the conference need to provide verification of their student status with a letter from their Supervisor or Department Chair and a photocopy of their student ID card.

Cancellations received, in writing, by the General Chair by 20 July 1998 will be considered for a refund in full minus $80 for a copy of the Proceedings and handling costs. No refunds will be made for cancellations received after 21 July 1998, but a copy of the conference Proceedings will be mailed to those registered but unable to attend.

Travel Information: The campus is located approximately two miles from the Santa Barbara airport, which is served by several airlines including American, American West, Delta, United, and US Air. Complimentary shuttle bus service will be provided between the Santa Barbara airport and the campus on Sunday and Thursday afternoons. All major rental car agencies are represented in Santa Barbara. AMTRAK also has rail connections from both San Francisco and Los Angeles. Santa Barbara is approximately 100 miles (160 km) north of the Los Angeles airport and 350 miles (560 km) south of San Francisco.

Hotels: For those who choose not to stay in the dormitories, the following is a partial list of hotels in the area. Those who choose to stay off campus are responsible for making their own reservations, and early reservations are advised since August is a popular season in Santa Barbara. The conference willprovide shuttle bus service to and from Pacifica Suites, Holiday Inn, and Best Western South Coast Inn. Rooms will be blocked in these hotels as well as the Santa Barbara Inn and the Upham Victorian Hotel and Garden Cottages. Note thatGoleta is closer to UCSB than Santa Barbara is to UCSB, but a car or the shuttle bus will probably be required to travel between any hotel and the campus. All prices are subject to change: prices should be confirmed by calling the hotels directly. However, mention Crypto '98 at UCSB when you are making your reservations, since at several of the hotels you will be eligible for the university rate, which can be a significant savings. The quality of the hotels ranges from rather expensive beach-front resorts to basic inexpensive accommodations. For further information, try contacting the Santa Barbara Convention and Visitors Center, +1 805 966 9222.

In Goleta, served by shuttle bus, with blocked rooms:

Pacifica Suites: 5490 Hollister, Goleta, CA 93117, (805) 683-6722, Rates: $89 single; $99 double. Three minutes from the University. Includes up to two complimentary cooked-to-order breakfasts, two rooms, two TVs, microwave, stereo, refrigerator, pool and Jacuzzi. Complimentary beverages served from 5 - 7 pm. With 24-hour advance notice, will provide shuttle service to and from the Santa Barbara Airport 7:30 am - 7:30 pm.

Holiday Inn: 5650 Calle Real, Goleta, CA 93117, (805) 964-6241Rates: $89 single/double. Five minutes from the University; restaurant; heated pool in palm garden setting. Complimentary airport shuttle between 6 am - 10 pm.

Best Western South Coast Inn: 5620 Calle Real, Goleta, CA 93117, (805) 967-3200Rates: $85 single/double. Five minutes from the University. Morning and evening shuttle available to the UCSB Campus; please indicate your needs at hotel check-in. Santa Barbara Airport Shuttle provided from 7:30 am - 10:30 pm. Continental Breakfast Buffet included as well as complimentary afternoon beverages from 5 - 7 pm. Pool, spa and free local calls.

In Santa Barbara, with blocked rooms (NOT SERVED BY THE SHUTTLE BUS):

Santa Barbara Inn: 901 E. Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, CA 93103, (805) 966-2285. Rates: $159 single. Fifteen steps from the beach. Fifteen minutes from UCSB. Rooms with private balconies/patios. Award-winning Michel Richard Citronelle Restaurant with panoramic ocean views atop the Inn.

The Upham Victorian Hotel and Garden Cottages: 1404 De la Vina Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, (805) 962-0058. Rates: $135 single/double. A bed and breakfast in downtown Santa Barbara. Complimentary continental breakfast and afternoon refreshments provided.

Other hotels (NOT SERVED BY THE SHUTTLE BUS, NO BLOCKED ROOMS):

Motel 6: 5897 Calle Real, Goleta, CA 93117. Single rate $36.99; double rate $42.99. Telephone +1 805 891 6161 or the national reservations number.

Cathedral Oaks Lodge (formerly Turnpike Lodge): 4770 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA, 93110. Single rates $75 and up; double rates $85 and up. No university rates available. Prices include breakfast. Telephone +1 805 964 3511; fax +1 805 964 0075.

The Sandman Inn: 3714 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Rates start at $79. Telephone: +1 805 687 2468; fax +1 805 687 6581.

Miramar Hotel (Beachfront): Three miles south of Santa Barbara on U.S. 101 at San Ysidro turnoff. No specific single or double rates. Rooms begin at $75. Telephone +1 805 969 2203; fax +1 805 969 3163.

Pepper Tree Inn: 3850 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Single rate $114; double rate $124. Telephone +1 805 687 5511; fax +1 805 682 2410.

Encina Lodge: 2220 Bath Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Single rate $120; double rate $124. Telephone +1 805 682 7277; fax +1 805 563 9319.The El Encanto Hotel: This renovated hotel is located in the foothills near downtown Santa Barbara. 1900 Lasuen Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Rates begin at $140. Telephone +1 805 687 5000; fax +1 805 687 3903.