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First CACR Distinguished Fellow Award

Murray Martin Receives First CACR Distinguished Fellow Award

On Monday, October 1, 2001, the Centre for Applied Cryptographic Research (CACR) recognized Mr. Murray Martin, Pitney Bowes Inc. Executive Vice-President and President, Global Mailing Systems, as its first Distinguished Fellow. The award was presented by President David Johnston. "Mr. Martin's desire to apply the best research information security to the practical challenges of the postal payment systems worldwide," said President Johnston "led to a most productive partnership among Pitney Bowes, the Universities of St. Jerome's and Waterloo, CITO (Communications and Information Technology Ontario), and NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada)."

Dr. Johnston added that Murray Martin was instrumental "in the establishment of the NSERC/Pitney Bowes Industrial Chair, held by Professor Scott Vanstone, and, ultimately, the formation of the Centre for Applied Cryptographic Research."

The CACR was formed in the summer of 1998 and has developed into a major centre for education and research in cryptography. The Centre has

  • recruited a number of productive, young cryptographers to complement the activities of the NSERC Industrial Research Chairholders, Scott Vanstone and Doug Stinson;
  • organized 7 conferences and 9 workshops for research scholars and practitioners of applied and theoretical cryptography;
  • recruited 19 post-doctoral fellows to participate in the research activities of the Centre;
  • established an extensive technical report series describing the research accomplishments of CACR members, and
  • provided significant leadership for the Master's program in cryptography.
Cryptography, the enciphering and deciphering of messages in secret code or cipher, is perhaps best known for its military applications. The science is currently finding wide applications for electronic and digital payment transfers, for ensuring the privacy of electronic and digital communication, and for securing electronic data.

In accepting the award as Distinguished Fellow, Mr. Martin said, "Cryptography is at the heart of our business. A postage device 'prints money' and therefore its security and the secure electronic transfer of postal funds is vital to our future."

Born in Hawkesville, Ontario, Murray Martin was a student at the University of Waterloo until he joined Monroe Systems for Business, a Division of Litton Industries. He progressed from trainee to President by age 29 and was appointed to the boards of directors of Litton Business Systems and Litton Business and Industrial Systems.

In 1987 Mr. Martin joined Pitney Bowes as President and CEO of Dictaphone Canada Ltd. and was appointed to the boards of PB Canada, PB Leasing, and Monarch Marking Products. In 1990 he was named President of Pitney Bowes Copier Systems in the United States. In 1998 he was appointed Executive Vice President and Group President of Pitney Bowes International, managing businesses in 117 countries and creating new businesses in China, Thailand, South Africa and New Zealand. In January 2001, he was named Executive Vice President and Group President of Global Mailing Systems.

Pitney Bowes is a $4 billion global provider of integrated mail and document management solutions headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. The company serves over 12 million businesses of all sizes through dealer and direct operations.

Photos from the Reception can be viewed here.

Other articles about this event can be found in the October 24th issue of the Gazette and in the October 26th issue of the Daily Bulletin.


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