Massimiliano Pala
About Massimiliano Pala
Massimiliano Pala is a prominent figure in cryptography, currently serving as the Cryptography Lead for the Future of Cryptography at CableLabs. His research focuses on Composite Crypto, Post Quantum Cryptography, and Quantum Computing, and he has a diverse background in security technologies and academic roles.
Current Role at CableLabs
Massimiliano Pala currently serves as the Cryptography Lead for the Future of Cryptography within the R&D Security Technologies Team at CableLabs. He was promoted to this position in 2023 and is based in Superior, Colorado. In addition to his role as Cryptography Lead, he has held the position of Principal Security Architect at CableLabs since 2017. His work focuses on advancing cryptographic technologies and ensuring the security of communication networks.
Research Focus and Projects
Pala's research primarily centers on Composite Crypto, Post Quantum Cryptography, and Quantum Computing. He leads the EAP-CREDS project, which aims to manage converged network credentials over EAP. His contributions to the field include enabling the use of Digital Certificates for 5G/4G/LTE CPE authentications in CBRS-A and leading the design and standardization work for DOCSIS 4.0 Security.
Professional Background
Prior to his current roles, Massimiliano Pala worked at Bloomberg LP as a Senior Security Architect in the CTO Office from 2014 to 2017. He also held positions at NYU as a Research Professor and Assistant Director at the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Security and Privacy (CRISSP) from 2011 to 2012, and as a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at Dartmouth College from 2007 to 2011. His early career included a role as a PKI Architect at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in 2001.
Education and Academic Achievements
Massimiliano Pala holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Usable Security from Politecnico di Torino, where he studied from 2003 to 2007. He also achieved a Visiting PhD in Computer Science at Dartmouth College from 2005 to 2006. His foundational education includes a BC+M.s. in IT Engineering from Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, completed from 1994 to 2002.
Initiatives and Contributions
Pala is the founder of the OpenCA project, which he started in 1998 and continues to develop and manage. He has also been a member of the DEI Advisory Council at CableLabs, contributing to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the organization. His work has significantly impacted the fields of cryptography and network security.