Zero-Knowledge Proofs in Rust from Udemy

This Zero-Knowledge Proof course in Rust is designed to learn how to implement a cryptography ZKP algorithm and use it in real-world applications for user registration and authentication.The course is divided into four main parts:

Theoretical Foundations: we will have a didactic introduction to the Chaum-Pedersen Protocol and understand how this interactive ZKP algorithm works with small toy examples. Additionally, we will cover what finite cyclic groups, generators and the discrete logarithm problem are.
Rust Implementation: we will implement in Rust what we have seen in the theory section. Here I recommend you execute the code by yourself and also create a GitHub repo to have a showcase in your portfolio. This will help future employers to know what you are talking about.
gRPC Server/Client: here, we use the previous Rust ZKP library we implemented to create a server that authenticates users through a gRPC protocol. This part is useful even if you are not interested in cryptography or ZKP protocols. Many companies and startups are interested in people with experience in gRPC.
Dockerization: in the last part of the course, we will learn how to dockerize the application using Docker. This will enable us to run it on any Windows, Linux, or MacOS system.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand how zero-knowledge proofs can be used in practice to authenticate users on a server
How to develop with rust a full backend service based on zkp for authentication

To fully couple the system with the grpc protocol allowing any user to communicate with it
To create containers of the application with docker to deploy the code on the cloud or work in different environments

Understand how zero-knowledge proofs can be used in practice to authenticate users on a server
How to develop with rust a full backend service based on zkp for authentication
To fully couple the system with the grpc protocol allowing any user to communicate with it
To create containers of the application with docker to deploy the code on the cloud or work in different environments

Syllabus

Course Description

Introduction To Modular Arithmetics

Solve these modular arithmetic challenges without calculator

Groups

Generators

Discrete Logarithm Problem

Chaum-Pedersen ZKP Protocol

Run the Tonic Server

Toy Example

Importance of Good Random Numbers Generators

ZKP Protocol in Rust

Install Rust

Design Schema

Coding Exponentiate, Solve & Verify

Unit Test: Toy Example

Random Number Generator (RNG)

Refactoring: Add a ZKP struct

1024-bit Unit Test

Building a gRPC server

gRPC Server Design

Writting and Compiling a Protobuf File with Tonic

Basic knowledge about gRPC

Creating Server & Client Executables

Process Register Requests

Process Challenge Request

Process Solution Request

Build the Client: Create Register Request

Build the Client: Create Authentication Requests

Possible Code Improvements as Homework

You will learn how to write a Dockerfile and a docker-compose.yaml and run the application in a Docker environment.

Introduction to Docker

Writting a Dockerfile and docker-compose.yaml

Running the server and client in the Docker container

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Covers gRPC, which is useful for backend developers interested in building microservices and distributed systems, even if they are not interested in cryptography or ZKP protocols

Explores zero-knowledge proofs, which are used in various security applications, such as secure authentication, anonymous credentials, and verifiable computation, making it relevant for security engineers

Provides hands-on experience implementing cryptographic algorithms in Rust, which is valuable for Rust programmers looking to expand their skills in systems programming and cryptography

Includes Dockerization of the application, enabling DevOps engineers to deploy the code on the cloud or work in different environments, which is a valuable skill for modern software development

Requires learners to have basic knowledge about gRPC, which may require additional learning for those without prior experience in building networked applications

Requires learners to install Rust, which may require additional setup and configuration for those unfamiliar with the Rust programming language and its build system

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Zero-Knowledge Proofs in Rust with these activities:

Review Modular Arithmetic

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of modular arithmetic, a fundamental concept for understanding the Chaum-Pedersen protocol.

Browse courses on Modular Arithmetic

Show steps

Review the definition of the modulo operation.
Practice solving modular arithmetic problems.
Understand modular inverses and their computation.

Brush up on Group Theory

Show steps

Revisit the basics of group theory, especially cyclic groups and generators, to better grasp the underlying mathematical structures used in ZKPs.

Browse courses on Group Theory

Show steps

Review the definition of a group and its properties.
Study cyclic groups and their generators.
Understand the concept of group order.

Read 'Programming Rust'

Show steps

Improve your Rust skills with a comprehensive guide to the language, focusing on aspects relevant to cryptographic implementations.

View Programming Rust: Fast, Safe Systems Development on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'Programming Rust'.
Read the chapters related to memory management, concurrency, and other advanced topics.
Practice writing Rust code to reinforce your understanding.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Read 'Serious Cryptography'

Show steps

Supplement your understanding of cryptography with a practical guide to implementing secure cryptographic systems.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'Serious Cryptography'.
Read the chapters related to zero-knowledge proofs and related cryptographic primitives.
Take notes on key concepts and implementation details.

Implement Chaum-Pedersen in Python

Show steps

Practice implementing the Chaum-Pedersen protocol in Python to reinforce your understanding before implementing it in Rust.

Show steps

Set up a Python development environment.
Implement the Chaum-Pedersen protocol using a suitable cryptographic library.
Test your implementation with toy examples.

Contribute to a ZKP Library

Show steps

Contribute to an existing open-source ZKP library in Rust to gain practical experience and deepen your understanding of ZKP implementations.

Show steps

Find an open-source ZKP library written in Rust.
Identify a bug or feature to work on.
Submit a pull request with your changes.

Write a Blog Post on ZKPs

Show steps

Solidify your knowledge by writing a blog post explaining the concepts of zero-knowledge proofs and their applications.

Show steps

Choose a specific aspect of ZKPs to focus on.
Research and gather information on your chosen topic.
Write a clear and concise blog post explaining the concepts.
Publish your blog post on a platform like Medium or your personal website.

Career center

Learners who complete Zero-Knowledge Proofs in Rust will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Cryptography Engineer

A Cryptography Engineer develops and implements cryptographic algorithms and protocols. This course provides hands-on experience with Zero-Knowledge Proofs, focusing on their practical implementation in Rust which helps build practical cryptography solutions. The course covers the theoretical foundations of ZKPs, including modular arithmetic, cyclic groups, and the discrete logarithm problem, as well as the practical application of these concepts. The ability to develop a gRPC server and the containerization of applications with Docker, as taught in the course, helps deliver cryptographic services in a modern, networked environment. A cryptography engineer should take this course to enhance their understanding of how to build secure and practical encryption systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cryptography Engineer

Cryptocurrency Engineer

A Cryptocurrency Engineer develops the underlying technology for digital currencies, often involving complex cryptography and secure transaction protocols. This course helps develop expertise in Zero-Knowledge Proofs, a technique used to ensure privacy and verification in cryptocurrency systems. The practical Rust implementation covered in the course directly translates to real-world projects in decentralized finance and blockchain applications. Understanding how to build a server using gRPC, as taught in the course, is also critical for this position, as many cryptocurrency systems utilize network communication for transactions and consensus mechanisms. This course's approach to building a system from first principles, including modular arithmetic and groups, provides foundational information for a cryptocurrency engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cryptocurrency Engineer

Blockchain Developer

A Blockchain Developer creates and maintains blockchain technologies, which often require secure data handling and cryptographic techniques. This course helps build a foundation in Zero-Knowledge Proofs, a crucial tool for enhancing privacy and security in decentralized networks. The Rust implementation of the ZKP algorithm provides hands-on experience directly relevant to developing secure blockchain applications. The course's focus on building a gRPC server for user authentication helps one understand how to integrate blockchain functionalities in a networked environment. A blockchain developer should enroll in this course to expand their practical knowledge of secure data management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Blockchain Developer

Security Software Engineer

A Security Software Engineer is responsible for developing secure software systems. This course provides a deep dive into Zero-Knowledge Proofs focusing on practical application to user authentication. The hands-on Rust implementation of ZKP algorithms helps one build secure systems from the ground up. Understanding gRPC, as taught in the course, is important for building secure network communication. A security software engineer may find the course's focus on Docker useful for deploying secure applications in varied environments. This course provides a solid foundation in cryptography and secure system development, which are core skills for a security software engineer. This course may help a security engineer who wants to understand how to implement secure authentication systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Software Engineer

Backend Engineer

A Backend Engineer develops and maintains the server-side logic of applications. This course helps build backend services using gRPC with a focus on user authentication through Zero-Knowledge Proofs, offering a deep understanding of secure user management. The course's Rust implementation of ZKP algorithms helps build a secure system from the ground up. The course also provides experience in deploying applications using Docker. A backend engineer may find this course to be highly applicable, especially if their work requires secure authentication and efficient server-side logic. This course may be useful for a backend engineer looking to expand their knowledge of cryptography and modern server development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Backend Engineer

Software Developer

A Software Developer designs, develops, and maintains software applications. This course helps build proficiency in Rust, a language known for its performance and security, especially when working with cryptographic applications. The focus on implementing Zero-Knowledge Proofs for authentication provides important knowledge in secure software design. The course demonstrates how to create a gRPC server using Rust, which is a useful skill for building networked applications. Additionally, the course teaches how to dockerize applications, which helps with deployment and system administration. A software developer should take this course to broaden their skillset and knowledge of secure application development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Cloud Security Engineer

A Cloud Security Engineer is responsible for securing cloud-based infrastructure and applications. This course helps build understanding of Zero-Knowledge Proofs for secure authentication, valuable for managing identity in cloud environments. The course's use of gRPC server development with Rust is directly applicable to cloud-based services. The course also provides hands-on knowledge in Docker for containerized application deployments, crucial in cloud infrastructure. A cloud security engineer may find this course useful for gaining insights into modern cryptography and secure deployment strategies. This course may help a cloud security engineer who wants to expand their practical knowledge of cryptography and modern server deployment in the cloud.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Engineer

Application Security Analyst

An Application Security Analyst assesses and improves the security of software applications. This course helps understand the practical implementation of Zero-Knowledge Proofs for secure authentication, which is critical in modern application security. The hands-on experience with Rust in developing ZKP algorithms helps provide a deeper understanding of the vulnerabilities and strengths of cryptographic systems. A practical understanding of gRPC, as taught in the course, is also beneficial for analyzing secure network communications. Further, a proficiency with Docker helps with evaluating application deployments. An application security analyst may find this course useful in their efforts to understand the technology that keeps software safe.

See salaries and explore the career path for Application Security Analyst

Systems Engineer

A Systems Engineer focuses on the infrastructure and architecture of computer systems. This course helps learn about secure user authentication using Zero-Knowledge Proofs, which is useful for building secure systems. The course's focus on Rust implementation of cryptographic protocols gives unique insight into software performance, while the introduction to gRPC provides necessary background for architecting networked services. The course's experience with Docker helps a systems engineer to understand how applications are deployed. A systems engineer may find this course particularly helpful when they want to understand the technologies that provide security at the application level. This course may be useful for a systems engineer especially if they are interested in security.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer is responsible for automating and optimizing software development and deployment processes. This course helps develop expertise in containerization using Docker. The course's project involves building a gRPC server and implementing Zero-Knowledge Proofs in Rust, all of which can be helpful in understanding how secure applications are built and deployed. Docker knowledge in particular is vital for a DevOps engineer as they frequently use containerized applications. A DevOps Engineer may also find the course helpful for understanding modern application architectures. This course may be useful to a DevOps engineer who wishes to understand the security aspects of application infrastructure.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Research Scientist

A Research Scientist in computer science, particularly in cryptography or distributed systems, may find this course helpful because it provides a practical implementation of Zero-Knowledge Proofs to help them develop novel cryptographic solutions. This course covers how to implement ZKP algorithms in Rust along with foundational concepts. This hands-on approach and a gRPC server implementation based on ZKP will be useful for research endeavors. In particular, the course's use of Docker may be useful for scientific projects. A research scientist who wants to understand the modern cryptographic approaches should consider this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Network Engineer

A Network Engineer designs and maintains computer networks. This course may be useful because it touches on secure communication using gRPC, which helps understand how to build secure network architectures. The course's focus on user authentication using Zero-Knowledge Proofs can provide a deeper perspective on secure data transmission. Knowledge of Docker, taught in the course, may also help a network engineer understand how containerized applications interact within a network environment. This course may help a network engineer who wants to expand their understanding of application-level security.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist analyzes data to derive insights, and this course may be helpful to build an understanding of data security, particularly in regards to user authentication with Zero-Knowledge Proofs. This course focuses on the implementation of cryptographic protocols using Rust, which provides knowledge about secure data handling. The gRPC server implementation may provide foundational understanding of secure and efficient data transmission. This course may be useful for a data scientist who works with sensitive data and seeks to better understand secure data management and transmission.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Technical Consultant

A Technical Consultant advises clients on technology solutions. This course may be useful because the expertise in cryptography and secure application development using Zero-Knowledge Proofs makes one a more effective consultant in security-related projects. The course's practical implementation of ZKP algorithms in Rust, combined with experience in gRPC and Docker, provides a well-rounded set of skills for advising clients on modern technology options. A technical consultant who wants to understand modern application architecture and secure authentication mechanisms should take this course. This course may be useful for a technical consultant who wants to broaden their understanding of secure system implementations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Consultant

IT Manager

An IT Manager is responsible for overseeing the information technology infrastructure of an organization. This course may be useful because it provides a deeper understanding of secure authentication technologies, particularly Zero-Knowledge Proofs. The course's practical implementation of cryptographic protocols in Rust provides a solid foundation for secure system management. The Docker and gRPC portions of the course will help an IT manager oversee and understand modern application deployment. This course may be useful for an IT manager who wishes to expand their technical knowledge related to secure application infrastructure.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Zero-Knowledge Proofs in Rust.

Programming Rust

Save

Comprehensive guide to the Rust programming language. It covers all aspects of the language, from basic syntax to advanced topics like concurrency and memory management. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn Rust and use it to build real-world applications. This book is particularly useful for those who are new to Rust and need a solid foundation in the language.

Programming Rust: Fast, Safe Systems Development

Kindle Edition

Putting Knowledge to Work

Save

Provides a practical introduction to modern cryptography. It covers a wide range of cryptographic primitives and protocols, including zero-knowledge proofs. It valuable resource for understanding the real-world applications of cryptography and how to implement them securely. This book provides additional depth to the cryptographic concepts covered in the course.

Putting Knowledge to Work

Paperback

Check price

Putting Knowledge to Work

Kindle Edition

Check price

Zero-Knowledge Proofs in Rust

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses