Introduction to Cryptography: Cryptography and Number Theory
This course introduces the terminology and applications of cryptography, security attacks and security objectives.
Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
0 hours
Introduction to Cryptography: Cryptography and Number Theory
This course introduces the terminology, applications of cryptography, security attacks and security objectives. It introduces the learner to the historical arms race in cryptography; more sophisticated means of encryption being developed and more sophisticated attacks being developed on these. The course provides an overview of content that will be covered in more detail in further courses on symmetric cryptography, hashing and cryptanalysis, number theory and public key cryptography.
What topics will you cover?
- Introduction
- Historical Ciphers
- Symmetric Cryptography, Hashing and cryptanalysis
- Number Theory and Public Key Cryptography
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...
- Define the main terms used in cryptography
- Discuss the main applications of cryptography
- Identify the main types of security attack
- Describe the main security objectives
- Describe the mechanisms of historical ciphers
- Analyse weaknesses in historical ciphers
- Discuss attacks on historical ciphers
- Crack messages encrypted using weak historical ciphers
- Describe the main mechanisms of symmetric cryptography
- Distinguish between stream ciphers and block ciphers
- Describe hash functions and their applications.
- Identify the main mechanisms of cryptanalysis
- Perform simple modular arithmetic operations
- Discuss difficult number theoretic problems
- Describe the main mechanisms of public key cryptography
- Describe the main applications of public key cryptography
Who is the course for?
The course is aimed at IT professionals in employment in Republic of Ireland registered companies. To qualify for direct entry they must have a Level 8 Honours Degree (2.2) or higher in Computer Science, Computing, Computer Applications or a related discipline. Applicants without these entry requirements (e.g., Level 7 degree or lower than an Honours 2.2 in a Level 8 degree) may be considered if they can demonstrate previously obtained competence equivalent to the entry requirements.
Who will you learn with?
I am an associate professor in the School of Computing in Dublin City University. My research interests include the verification of security protocols and smart contracts in blockchain technology.
Who developed the course?
Dublin City University
Dublin City University is a young, dynamic and ambitious Irish university with a distinctive mission to transform lives and societies through education, research and innovation.
Endorsers and supporters
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