Fundamentals of Cryptography
Explore how code breakers and spies influenced cryptography and investigate the role it plays in modern secure communication.
Duration
2 weeksWeekly study
6 hours
Fundamentals of Cryptography
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.
During the course you will also get an opportunity to try encrypting data yourself by completing a cryptography and cryptanalysis challenge.
What topics will you cover?
- The mathematical concepts underpinning cryptography
- Classical cryptography and historical ciphers
- The basics of cryptanalysis
- Random number generation
- Hashing
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
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 and unicity
- 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.
Please note that the individuals detailed in the ‘Who will you learn with?’ section below, are current staff members and may be subject to change.
Who will you learn with?
James is a Principal Lecturer at Coventry University and has worked in academia for 18 years, teaching and researching in the areas of operating systems, cyber security and image analysis.
Antal Goldschmidt
Course Director, MSc Cyber Security; Coventry University
ab2216@coventry.ac.uk
Derrick is a Lecturer at Coventry University. He worked for 18 years in audit and IT consultancy, completed his PhD and joined Coventry in 2012. He teaches cyber security, cryptography and IT law.
Dr. Christo Panchev is a Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security at Coventry University with more than 20 years experience in industry and higher education, research and teaching in A.I. and Cyber Security.
Who developed the course?
Coventry University
Coventry secured 5 QS Stars for Teaching and Online Learning in the QS World University Ranking 2020 and has received No. 1 in the world for Massive Open Online Courses in MoocLab’s World University Ranking 2021.
Established
1992Location
Coventry
Institute of Coding
The Institute of Coding (IoC) is a national collaboration of employers, universities, and charities, on a mission to provide people from all walks of life with access to digital learning and career opportunities.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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