FNT106

Cryptography is the practice of securing communication from unauthorized access or malicious attacks by converting plaintext (human-readable) information into an unreadable format called ciphertext. This is done through the use of mathematical algorithms and keys that allow only authorized parties to decode the message and access its original content.

Cryptography is used to protect sensitive information such as passwords, financial transactions, and government secrets. It is also used to verify the authenticity of digital documents and ensure the integrity of data transmission over networks.

Cryptography plays a critical role in modern cybersecurity and is essential in protecting against data breaches, identity theft, and cyber attacks.

1. Transforming plain language
2. Using an algorithm
3. To make it unreadable to anyone (cipher)
4. Except those possessing the key

Encryption

Decryption

Readable format

non-encrypted

Readable format

non-encrypted

Non-readable format

encrypted

Cipher               An algorithm for transforming plain text to cipher text

Key                     Used to encrypt or decrypt the message

Keyspace          The total number of all possible keys

Plain text         The original message/information you want to secure

Decipher          Convert the cipher text to plain text

Encipher           Convert the plain text into cipher text

Decrypt             Decipher

Encrypt             Encipher

Cryptanalysis  The study of deciphering cipher text without knowing the key

Cryptology       Includes both cryptography and cryptanalysis

FNT106