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Cryptography and Information Theory

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Sang-Yoon Chang

4.5

Based on 498 ratings

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Sang-Yoon Chang

Welcome to Cryptography and Information Theory!

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Welcome to Cryptography and Information Theory!

This course combines cryptography (the techniques for protecting information from unauthorized access) and information theory (the study of information coding and transfer). More specifically, the course studies cryptography from the information-theoretical perspectives and discuss the concepts such as entropy and the attacker knowledge capabilities, e.g., Kerckhoff's Principle. It also contrasts information-theoretic security and computational security to highlight the different train of thoughts that drive the cryptographic algorithmic construction and the security analyses.

This course is a part of the Applied Cryptography specialization.

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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.

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Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

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

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Reviews summary

Cryptography and information theory fundamentals

According to learners, this course offers a strong theoretical foundation in cryptography, particularly emphasizing the information theory perspective. Students appreciate the insights into concepts like entropy and the contrast between information-theoretic and computational security. While many find the core material and lectures clear, some note that the course is mathematically challenging and requires a solid background in discrete math and probability. The assignments are often described as difficult but contribute significantly to understanding. Overall, it's seen as a valuable, though demanding, entry point into advanced cryptography.

Course is part of a larger program.

"This course is listed as part of the Applied Cryptography specialization."

"Takes place as the first course in the specialization."

"Sets the stage for subsequent courses in the series."

Highlights difference between security types.

"The distinction and contrast between information-theoretic and computational security was a key takeaway for me."

"Understanding the different assumptions behind perfect secrecy and computational security was very insightful."

"The comparison of different security models added valuable perspective."

Key ideas like entropy are well-explained.

"The modules on Information Entropy and Perfect Secrecy were particularly clear and easy to follow."

"I really appreciated how they explained entropy and its relevance to key strength."

"The explanation of Kerckhoff's Principle was very clear."

"Core concepts are presented in a logical and understandable manner."

Offers a deep dive into foundational theory.

"It really helps to grasp the theoretical underpinning of cryptography from an information theory perspective, which isn't common."

"This course provides a very strong theoretical background."

"Provides a good introduction to the information theoretic aspects of cryptography."

"I found the theoretical coverage, especially on entropy, to be very insightful and well-explained."

Assignments require deep thinking and effort.

"The assignments were quite difficult and sometimes felt disconnected from the lecture material."

"I spent a lot of time on the homework problems, they were tough but rewarding."

"Make sure to allocate significant time for assignments, they are not trivial."

"While challenging, completing the assignments solidified my understanding of the concepts."

Requires a solid background in math.

"The mathematical rigor is quite high, which makes it challenging if your math background isn't strong."

"Requires a good understanding of probability and discrete mathematics to fully follow the material."

"I struggled a bit with some of the proofs and mathematical derivations."

"Be prepared for abstract concepts and mathematical notation."

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 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

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 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

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

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

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

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

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

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

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Cryptography and Information Theory.

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Handbook of Applied Cryptography

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A comprehensive reference on cryptographic algorithms, protocols, and applications, with a focus on practical implementation.

Handbook of Applied Cryptography (Discrete...

Handbook of Applied Cryptography (Discrete...

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Quantum Communication, Quantum Networks, and...

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A practical guide to cryptographic protocols, algorithms, and implementations, including source code in C.

Quantum Communication, Quantum Networks, and...

Quantum Communication, Quantum Networks, and...

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Information Theory, Inference and Learning...

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Provides a comprehensive overview of information theory, inference, and learning algorithms, with a focus on probabilistic models and Bayesian inference.

Information Theory, Inference and Learning...

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Introduction to Cryptography with Coding Theory

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Provides an accessible introduction to fundamentals of cryptography, including number theory, coding theory and discrete probability, and an overview of elliptic curve techniques and side-channel attacks.

Introduction to Cryptography with Coding Theory

Introduction to Cryptography: With Coding Theory by...

Introduction to Cryptography with Coding Theory

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Rethinking Cyber Warfare

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A comprehensive guide to security engineering, including risk assessment, security design, and security testing.

Rethinking Cyber Warfare: The International...

Rethinking Cyber Warfare: The International...

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Cryptography and Network Security: Principles and...

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A comprehensive textbook on cryptography and network security, covering a wide range of topics.

Cryptography and Network Security: Principles and...

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Defensive Cyberspace: Navigating the Landscape of...

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A practical guide to information security, covering a wide range of topics, including cryptography, access control, and security management.

Defensive Cyberspace: Navigating the Landscape of...

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Covers a wide range of cryptographic topics, including classical and modern algorithms, number theory, and cryptanalysis.

Cryptography: Theory and Practice (Textbooks in...

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Cover image

Advanced Persistent Security

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A practical guide to network security, including cryptography, firewalls, intrusion detection, and security assessment.

Advanced Persistent Security: A Cyberwarfare...

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Rating

4.5

Effort

Approx. 7 hours

Level

Intermediate

Via

Coursera

Institution

University of Colorado System

Instructor

Sang-Yoon Chang

Language

English

Transcripts

Español Français Português Deutsch Italiano 中文 العربية 한국어 日本語 हिंदी Nederlands Svenska Pусский Türkçe Polski Ελληνικά українська мова magyar nyelv Bahasa Indonesia ไทย қазақша اُردُو, فارسی বাংলা tiếng Việt پښتو آذربایجان دیلی

This course belongs to a collection called Applied Cryptography. It's comprised of two courses:

Cryptography and Information Theory (viewing)
Cryptographic Hash and Integrity Protection

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

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

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