The Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Cryptography and Data Security was established in 2024 with the approval of the Department of Science and Technology of Shanxi Province, and is hosted by Shanxi Normal University. The Laboratory Director is Professor An Lijian of Shanxi Normal University, and the Chair of the Academic Committee is Professor Zhu Jianming, Chief Scientist of a National Key R&D Program project. The laboratory currently occupies over 2,100 m² of floor space and is equipped with research facilities valued at more than 20 million RMB. Through the development of cutting‑edge cryptographic technologies and the discovery and remediation of security vulnerabilities, the laboratory aims to build comprehensive information security protection systems and to drive innovation in security technologies. Operating under the director responsibility system led by the host institution, the laboratory maintains relatively independent management over human, financial, and material resources, and adheres to an "open, flowing, joint, and competitive" operational mechanism, supported by well‑established management systems and working procedures. The research platform has 56 permanent research staff members, of whom 34 hold senior professional titles, 44 hold doctoral degrees, and 28 are under the age of 40.

Guided by the major needs of Shanxi Province and rooted at the frontiers of fundamental cryptographic theory, the laboratory fully leverages the disciplinary strengths of Mathematics and Computer Science, continuously promoting interdisciplinary integration and collaborative innovation. It conducts in‑depth analysis and optimization of classical cryptographic algorithms while actively exploring emerging cryptographic technologies to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of data throughout encryption, transmission, and storage. The laboratory places special emphasis on studying data leakage prevention mechanisms and developing key technologies such as data masking, access control, and data backup and recovery. Through extensive collaboration with enterprises, universities, and other research institutions, it translates research outcomes into practical data security products and solutions, providing robust technical support for cryptography and data security research in Shanxi Province. At the same time, the laboratory strives to become a premier platform for academic exchange in cryptography, attracting domestic and international experts and scholars for in‑depth communication and cooperation, thereby enhancing Shanxi’s academic standing in the field of cryptography. Furthermore, the laboratory is committed to becoming a key base for training cryptographic talent, offering high‑quality educational resources and practical platforms to cultivate a cohort of highly skilled professionals in cryptography and data security, who will contribute to the advancement of these fields in Shanxi Province and the nation as a whole.