Explore how code breakers and spies influenced cryptography and investigate the role it plays in modern secure communication. Investigate the security of encrypted data. Is it possible to prove the security of encrypted data? Will every algorithm fail given sufficient time or computing power? On this course you will get an introduction to cryptography and cryptanalysis. From ancient examples of secret messages and the spies that cracked them to modern cryptographic applications, you will have the opportunity to explore the foundations of data security.
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During the course you will also get an opportunity to try encrypting data yourself by completing a cryptography and cryptanalysis challenge.
This course is part of the program Cryptography, which is one of the building blocks that leads to a degree in MSc Cyber Security.
What topics will you cover?
- Mathematical concepts underpinning cryptography
- Classical cryptography and historical ciphers
- Basics of cryptanalysis
- Random number generation
- Hashing
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...
- Explain the concepts used in early substitution and translation ciphers
- Apply cryptanalysis methods to simple ciphers
- Assess simple cryptographic methods from a practical and theoretical viewpoint
- Describe the concepts of entropy, pseudorandomness, unicity and
- Demonstrate the use of hashing, salt and nonces in a variety of applications
Who is the course for?
The Institute of Coding supported the development of this course in response to consultation with industry representatives from the healthcare, manufacturing and automotive sectors.
This course is for people who want to understand more about the way cryptography keeps our communications safe, either out of curiosity or to prepare for advanced study of the topic.
