Cryptography and Information Theory from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Cryptography Overview

This module defines the technical terms in cryptography and introduce Alice, Bob, and Eve. To study the attacker Eve's perspective, we will describe Kerckhoff's Principle ("the attacker knows the system"), which defines the scope of the attacker knowledge (what is secret vs. what the attacker can know). We will also describe Security by Obscurity, which contrasts Kerckhoff's Principle.

Information Entropy

This module studies information entropy to quantify randomness. Information entropy can be used to measure the strength of the key or the secret information that determines the security of a cryptosystem against an attacker who does not know the random key.

Brute-Force Attack and Cryptanalysis

This module studies the attacker view whose objective is to learn the key and break the cryptographic protection using the key. First, we will define brute force attack and describe how to quantify the attacker effort for brute force attack. Next, we will contrast cryptanalysis and brute force attack. Lastly, we will discuss about perfect secrecy, which is immune to cryptanalysis and is a strong notion of security derived from information theory.

Computational Security and Side-Channel Attack

This module studies cryptography from the practical point of view. We will first define computational security, which relies on the fact that real world attackers are computationally limited unlike information theoretic security, e.g., one-time pad. We will then survey side channel attacks and unintentional information leakage from the physical implementations of cryptosystems.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops foundational understanding in cryptography and information theory, establishing a solid base for beginners

Provides practical insights into real-world cryptography applications, highlighting computational security and side-channel attacks

Examines cryptography from both theoretical and practical perspectives, offering a comprehensive view of the subject

Requires minimum prerequisites, making it accessible to learners with varying backgrounds

Course instructors are recognized experts in cryptography, ensuring high-quality content and instruction

Part of the Applied Cryptography specialization, providing opportunities for further exploration

Reviews summary

Cryptographic concepts

Learners say this course is largely positive and a good introduction to cryptography and information theory. The content is clear and easy to follow, with plenty of examples. The quizzes and assignments are well-designed to help you understand the concepts. The instructor is knowledgeable and engaging and provides clear explanations. Overall, this course is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning about cryptography and information theory.

Well-designed quizzes and assignments

"Course is very simple to follow with good questions in the quizes"

"It is a good course to beging with cyrptography. Quizzes and Assignments are also well designed to understand the concepts."

"Course was really nice and informative. It helps a lot in cryptographic domain related work."

Knowledgeable and engaging

"Great Intro to Cryptology core concepts! Professor is also super clear in his explanations."

"A great course for beginners. It is evident, that the Instructor has put much effort in designing this course."

"The instructor is knowledgeable and engaging and provides clear explanations."

Concepts explained clearly

"Wording is simple with plenty of examples and analogies. Easy to follow."

"The course gave me very good basics in Cryptography."

"Professor was clear and concise in his explanations and the work required was reasonable."

In-depth and informative

"The course content was very relevant and applicable."

"It was a great course and the tutor explained it well."

"This course helps in developing research and teaching skills."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Cryptography and Information Theory with these activities:

Review definitions and basic concepts of cryptography

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Review and refresh your understanding of the building blocks of modern cryptography concepts, ensuring a strong foundation for the course's more challenging material.

Browse courses on Cryptography

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Go through a series of definitions of key terms such as cipher, encryption, decryption, cryptosystem, and other related to cryptography.
Review the fundamental principles and concepts underlying modern cryptography.

Participate in a study group to discuss concepts and solve problems

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Collaborate with peers to share knowledge, discuss course concepts, and work together on problem-solving, strengthening your understanding through active engagement.

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Join or form a study group with peers who are also enrolled in the course.
Meet regularly to discuss course material, clarify concepts, and work through problems together.

Practice simple information theory calculations

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Engage with tutorials and exercises to improve your understanding of information theory, a vital foundation for the course's exploration of cryptography.

Browse courses on Information Theory

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Follow guided tutorials to gain a solid understanding of information theory concepts and their mathematical formulations.
Complete practice exercises involving calculations of entropy, information gain, conditional entropy, and mutual information.

Four other activities

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Solve coding challenges on cryptosystem implementation

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Enhance your practical skills by solving coding challenges that involve implementing cryptosystems, reinforcing your understanding of cryptographic algorithms.

Browse courses on Coding Challenges

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Identify and select coding challenges related to cryptosystem implementation.
Implement the encryption and decryption algorithms based on the challenge description.
Test and validate your implementation against sample inputs and outputs, ensuring correctness.

Read 'Introduction to Modern Cryptography' by Katz and Lindell

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Expand your understanding of modern cryptography through this comprehensive textbook, gaining insights into advanced concepts and real-world applications.

View Introduction to Modern Cryptography: Third... on Amazon

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Read and comprehend the chapters on basic concepts, cryptosystems, security protocols, and number theory.
Solve practice exercises and review examples to reinforce your understanding.

Design a simple cryptosystem for a specific scenario

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Apply your knowledge to create your own cryptosystem, fostering a deeper comprehension of the principles and challenges of designing secure systems.

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Define the specific scenario and security requirements for your cryptosystem design.
Research and select appropriate cryptographic algorithms and techniques to meet the requirements.
Implement the encryption and decryption algorithms, ensuring their correctness and efficiency.
Design and implement a key generation mechanism to securely generate and distribute keys.
Perform security analysis to evaluate the strength and weaknesses of your cryptosystem against potential attacks.

Create a comprehensive study guide

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Organize and summarize key concepts, definitions, and theorems from the course to enhance your understanding and retention of the material.

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Review and compile notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams to identify key concepts.
Summarize and organize the information in a logical structure, using headings, subheadings, and bullet points.

Career center

Learners who complete Cryptography and Information Theory will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Cryptographer

Cryptographers develop and implement codes and ciphers to protect information from unauthorized access. They may work for governments, corporations, or other organizations that need to keep their data confidential. This course is highly relevant to anyone who wants to work as a Cryptographer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cryptographer

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts implement and manage the security measures that protect an organization's computer networks and systems. They may also conduct security audits and risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and develop plans to mitigate them. A solid understanding of information theory and cryptography is key for anyone entering this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Security Architect

Security Architects design and implement security solutions for organizations. They may work on a variety of projects, from designing security policies to implementing security technologies. A deep understanding of cryptography is essential for individuals in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Architect

Penetration Tester

Penetration Testers identify vulnerabilities in computer networks and systems by simulating attacks. They may work for governments, corporations, or other organizations that need to improve their security posture. A solid understanding of cryptography is essential for anyone who wants to work as a Penetration Tester.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester

Security Consultant

Security Consultants help organizations assess and improve their security posture. They may conduct security audits, risk assessments, and penetration tests to identify vulnerabilities and develop plans to mitigate them. Individuals in this role need an in-depth knowledge of cryptography and information security principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Consultant

Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity Analysts protect computer networks and systems from unauthorized access, use, and disclosure. They may also conduct security audits and risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and develop plans to mitigate them. A strong understanding of cryptography is essential for individuals in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst

Network Security Engineer

Network Security Engineers design, implement, and manage security measures to protect computer networks from unauthorized access. They may also conduct security audits and risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and develop plans to mitigate them. Understanding cryptography is key to becoming a Network Security Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer

Data Scientist

Data Scientists combine the skills of analysts, mathematicians, statisticians, and programmers to draw meaningful insights from data. They often use machine learning and other advanced algorithms to process and analyze large, complex datasets. A background in information theory and the mathematics of cryptography can be very helpful for someone in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Privacy Analyst

Privacy Analysts help organizations comply with privacy laws and regulations. They may also work on projects related to data privacy and security. A background in cryptography can be helpful for Privacy Analysts who work on projects related to data protection.

See salaries and explore the career path for Privacy Analyst

Forensic Scientist

Forensic Scientists collect, analyze, and interpret evidence to help solve crimes. They may work in a variety of settings, including crime labs and law enforcement agencies. A background in cryptography can be helpful for Forensic Scientists who work on cases involving digital evidence.

See salaries and explore the career path for Forensic Scientist

Computer Scientist

Computer Scientists conduct research in a variety of areas related to computing, including algorithm development, artificial intelligence, and computer architecture. Specialization in the area of cryptography is a common path to lead to work in the Cybersecurity field, where the expertise in this area is highly sought after.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Scientist

Information Governance Analyst

Information Governance Analysts develop and implement policies and procedures to manage an organization's information assets. They may also work on projects related to data privacy and security. A background in cryptography can be helpful for Information Governance Analysts who work on projects related to data protection.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Governance Analyst

Risk Analyst

Risk Analysts identify, assess, and mitigate risks to an organization. They may work in a variety of industries, including finance, insurance, and healthcare. A background in cryptography can be helpful for Risk Analysts who work on projects related to cybersecurity or data protection.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Analyst

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and test computer software. They may work on a variety of projects, from small personal apps to large enterprise systems. A background in cryptography can be helpful for Software Engineers who work on security-sensitive projects.

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Intelligence Analyst

Intelligence Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to provide insights into threats and opportunities. They may work for governments, corporations, or other organizations that need to make informed decisions. A background in cryptography can be helpful for Intelligence Analysts who work on projects related to cybersecurity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Intelligence Analyst