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Sang-Yoon Chang
Welcome to Cryptography and Information Theory!
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Welcome to Cryptography and Information Theory!
Read more
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.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/biluqk/cryptography
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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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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.
Read more
Traffic lights
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
Show steps
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
Show steps
-
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
Show steps
Collaborate with peers to share knowledge, discuss course concepts, and work together on problem-solving, strengthening your understanding through active engagement.
Show steps
-
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
Show steps
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
Show steps
-
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
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Solve coding challenges on cryptosystem implementation
Show steps
Enhance your practical skills by solving coding challenges that involve implementing cryptosystems, reinforcing your understanding of cryptographic algorithms.
Browse courses on
Coding Challenges
Show steps
-
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
Show steps
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
Show steps
-
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
Show steps
Apply your knowledge to create your own cryptosystem, fostering a deeper comprehension of the principles and challenges of designing secure systems.
Show steps
-
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
Show steps
Organize and summarize key concepts, definitions, and theorems from the course to enhance your understanding and retention of the material.
Show steps
-
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.
Review definitions and basic concepts of cryptography
Show steps
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
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- 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
Show steps
Collaborate with peers to share knowledge, discuss course concepts, and work together on problem-solving, strengthening your understanding through active engagement.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- 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
Show steps
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
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- 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
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Solve coding challenges on cryptosystem implementation
Show steps
Enhance your practical skills by solving coding challenges that involve implementing cryptosystems, reinforcing your understanding of cryptographic algorithms.
Browse courses on
Coding Challenges
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- 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
Show steps
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
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- 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
Show steps
Apply your knowledge to create your own cryptosystem, fostering a deeper comprehension of the principles and challenges of designing secure systems.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- 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
Show steps
Organize and summarize key concepts, definitions, and theorems from the course to enhance your understanding and retention of the material.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- 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
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.
Information Security Analyst
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.
Security Consultant
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.
Penetration Tester
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.
Security Architect
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.
Cybersecurity Analyst
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.
Network Security Engineer
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.
Data Scientist
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.
Information Governance Analyst
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.
Privacy 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.
Forensic Scientist
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.
Computer 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.
Software Engineer
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.
Risk 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.
Intelligence 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.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/biluqk/cryptography
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.
A comprehensive reference on cryptographic algorithms, protocols, and applications, with a focus on practical implementation.
A practical guide to cryptographic protocols, algorithms, and implementations, including source code in C.
Provides a comprehensive overview of information theory, inference, and learning algorithms, with a focus on probabilistic models and Bayesian inference.
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.
A comprehensive guide to security engineering, including risk assessment, security design, and security testing.
A comprehensive textbook on cryptography and network security, covering a wide range of topics.
A practical guide to information security, covering a wide range of topics, including cryptography, access control, and security management.
Save
Covers a wide range of cryptographic topics, including classical and modern algorithms, number theory, and cryptanalysis.
A practical guide to network security, including cryptography, firewalls, intrusion detection, and security assessment.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/biluqk/cryptography
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Rating
4.5
Effort
Approx. 7 hours
Level
Intermediate
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Colorado System
Instructor
Sang-Yoon Chang
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English
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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
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