ABSTRACTSigncryption can provide confidentiality and authenticity for many cryptographic applications. In this study, we propose a new efficient attribute‐based signcryption scheme. This scheme achieves confidentiality against chosen ciphertext attacks and unforgeability against chosen messages attacks in the selective attribute model. In addition, our scheme enjoys traceability by use of non‐interactive witness indistinguishable proofs; that is, the authority can break the anonymity of users when necessary. Compared with previous works, our scheme has advantages in terms of functionality and efficiency simultaneously. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.