In early 1993, the Algebraic and Symbolic Computing Laboratory (LabCAS) was created in the Department of Informatics and Statistics (INE). The creation of LabCAS was the result of a need, which over several years has been identified by teachers and researchers in the area of computational methods for solving mathematical problems. Over the course of seven years, some projects were developed seeking to achieve the objectives of LabCAS, many of them with the help of Scientific Initiation scholarship holders. Others carried out exclusively by professors linked to the Laboratory. Thus, during the existence of LabCAS, a significant contribution was made to the training of students in the Engineering and Computer Science courses, as well as at the Postgraduate level, with the offering of subjects in the Master's course in Computer Science. However, as of the year 2000, the professors associated with LabCAS felt the need to direct research and development activities towards Computer Science. And one of the areas where there was an urgent need for the involvement of researchers with our profile was cryptography. Cryptography is the science of hiding information and making it available only to desired entities. Encryption is one of the only technologies that can solve computing security problems. The challenges in this area are enormous. As an application, we can mention: security in computer networks; secure operating systems; security in computer systems; secure communication; digital certification authorities; security and e-commerce and many others. Thus, in addition to continuing with the initial objectives, we extended our objectives to the area of computer security, with the creation of LabSEC. We believe in this way to be able to contribute more efficiently to the Department of Informatics and Statistics, the Federal University of Santa Catarina and Science itself.
