Complex Topics Presented as Simple Drawings

Mathematical lattices are a distinct subgroup of the Euclidian vector space. An algebraic construct that can be used to develop quantum-proof encryptions. Got it? For non-mathematicians, this sentence is practically incomprehensible. But even phenomena that appear abstract at first glance, such as mathematical lattices, can be presented in a clear fashion. The science comics by CASA demonstrate how this can be done.

Up against the quantum computer
CASA is a cluster of excellence at Ruhr University Bochum; the acronym stands for Cyber Security in the Age of Large-Scale Adversaries. Here, an international team of 90 scientists conducts its research in four research hubs dedicated to this field. It is predicted that in the future, large-scale adversaries will have quantum computers with massive computing power. These supercomputers would make short work of our current IT security infrastructure. Provided, of course, that quantum technology will in fact reach product maturity.

“IT security often appears dry and intimidating to many people”, says Annika Gödde, science communicator at CASA. At the same time, this topic is gaining significance as sensitive infrastructures such as hospitals or government agencies continue to be targeted. “In order to sensitize as many people as possible to this problem, we set out to present our research in a more playful way – in the form of comics”, says Gödde. Since 2022, each of CASA’s four research hubs has published a comic book, first in English, and with the first German version released just recently. The comics are meant to allow interested lay people access to the often unwieldy research topics in the field of IT security.

Bunny and beaver explain the world
To produce them, CASA is collaborating with Ellery Studio. This Berlin-based creative agency specializes in conveying knowledge in the form of alternative display formats. “It was clear early on that research content should be presented as stories, with animals as the main characters”, says Niels Jansen. He is a scientific staff member at Ellery Studio, responsible for translating between the researchers and the illustrators. In close cooperation, both sides agree on the structure, appearance, content and language of the comic series.

It takes a lot of time to arrive at just the right “cruise altitude” with respect to content, says Hannah Schrage. Working as an illustrator at Ellery Studio, she designed drawings and image compositions for the comics. One comic takes roughly six to eight months to produce. “What makes me happy is the fact that with this type of story, we reach a wide audience”, says Schrage. Together with Niels Jansen, she came up with the stories in which a bunny and beaver, among others, guide the audience through the research world of CASA. For example, in one comic, central bank money reserves, which are to be protected by secure IT systems, become carrot reserves that are not safe from animal attackers.

Tracking cookies
CASA’s Research Hub A focuses on “post-quantum cryptography”, meaning, encryption methods that would also withstand quantum computers. The mathematical lattices mentioned above play an important role in this context. “Illustrating these was our biggest challenge”, says Niels Jansen. In this comic, Whitfield the fox follows the trail of freshly baked cookies, while along the way, he encounters the “challenges” that the CASA researchers are working on. His name is an homage to renowned cryptography expert Whitfield Diffie – one of many hidden references that insiders will recognize.

A CASA scientist explains to the fox how one can imagine a mathematical lattice: as a chicken wire fence! The knots within the fence refer to lattice points, and the connections between the points represent mathematical vectors. If one were to mark a certain connection within the fence with a red dot, the fictional researcher explains, the fox would take some time to find it. If the two-dimensional fence is expanded to become a three-dimensional lattice, it will become even more difficult. If the number of dimensions is then increased to 500, it will become impossible for our little fox – as well as a considerable challenge for a quantum computer.

Innovative formats for conveying knowledge
Using comparisons, the comic authors illustrate a variety of questions arising in the field of IT security research – which requires a bit of prior knowledge. “We have received lots of positive feedback”, says science communicator Annika Gödde. This novel and unique, easily understandable treatment of complex topics is well received, also at international conferences to which the CASA researchers take their comics.

The success of the CASA comics confirms a trend that Hannah Schrage has noticed among the clients of Ellery Studio: “There is an increased interest in alternative presentation formats.” Niels Jansen, futurologist at Ellery Studio, also sees much potential in illustrative and immersive formats where the recipients have an opportunity to contribute to the design. He says: “There is much openness for transporting issues not necessarily in all their seriousness, but rather with a wink and a smile, without trivializing them.”