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Jonathan Katz

This course will introduce you to the foundations of modern cryptography, with an eye toward practical applications.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1
Introduction to Classical Cryptography
Week 2
Computational Secrecy and Principles of Modern Cryptography
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a practical grounding in cryptography, relevant to industry practices
Taught by Jonathan Katz, a renowned expert in cryptography
Covers foundational concepts in cryptography, making it suitable for beginners
Includes advanced topics such as public-key encryption and digital signatures
Course materials are well-structured and engaging, including videos, readings, and discussions
Suitable for learners with a background in computer science or mathematics

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Reviews summary

Foundational cryptography with practical insights

According to students, this course offers a solid and practical foundation in modern cryptography. Learners frequently highlight the clear explanations of complex topics, noting that the instructor excels at making the material accessible. The lectures are often described as engaging and well-structured. Many appreciate the course's balance between theory and application, providing valuable practical skills alongside theoretical understanding. While largely positive, some students mention that the assignments can be challenging and require significant effort, occasionally feeling a disconnect between lecture content and homework difficulty. However, the overall sentiment is strongly positive, with many recommending it for anyone serious about learning cryptography.
Some math/CS prerequisites are helpful.
"A solid background in discrete mathematics and basic probability theory would be very beneficial for this course."
"While they say no prerequisites, I found that having some prior knowledge of basic number theory and proofs helped immensely."
"It definitely helps if you have a background in computer science or a strong aptitude for logical reasoning and basic math."
Course is logically organized week-by-week.
"The course structure is logical, building up concepts week by week. The syllabus maps well to the material."
"I found the progression of topics to be very well thought out, making it easier to follow along."
"The modular structure worked well for me, covering foundational topics before moving to more complex ones."
Balances theory with practical relevance.
"I liked that it wasn't just theory; the course included practical applications which made the concepts feel relevant and useful."
"Provides good insights into real-world applications of cryptography. It's not just abstract math."
"Learning about how these cryptographic concepts are applied in practice was very valuable to me."
Provides a strong base in modern cryptography.
"This course provides a really solid foundation in modern cryptography. It covers all the key areas you need to get started in the field."
"I feel like I have a strong understanding of the core principles of modern crypto after completing this course. It's a great starting point."
"It lays out the foundations of modern cryptography very well. Essential if you want to move into more advanced topics."
Instructor makes complex concepts easy to grasp.
"The professor has a gift for explaining difficult concepts in an accessible way. I really appreciated how clearly everything was laid out."
"His explanations were incredibly lucid and he did a great job breaking down even the most complex topics. Best instructor I've had for this subject."
"I found the material very well presented, the lecturer does an excellent job of simplifying complex ideas."
Homework can be significantly difficult.
"The assignments were significantly more challenging than I expected based on the lectures. Required a lot of extra effort and research."
"Homework problems were tough! Felt like a big jump from the examples shown in class. Be prepared to spend a lot of time on them."
"While the lectures are clear, the gap in difficulty when tackling the homework can be frustrating for some."

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 with these activities:
Write a summary of cryptography news and trends
Keep up with the latest developments in cryptography by compiling relevant news and trends.
Browse courses on Cryptography
Show steps
  • Subscribe to cryptography news sources.
  • регулярно проверяйте последние новости и тенденции.
  • Summarize and present the most relevant information in a concise report.
Review 'Modern Cryptography: Theory and Practice' by Katz and Lindell
Get familiar with key concepts and modern cryptographic algorithms by reviewing a recommended textbook.
Show steps
  • Identify the main concepts of modern cryptography discussed in the book.
  • Review the sections on private-key and public-key encryption.
  • Summarize the principles of message authentication codes.
Attend a cryptography conference or meetup
Connect with other cryptography enthusiasts and learn about industry trends.
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Show steps
  • Find a conference or meetup that aligns with your interests.
  • Register and attend the event.
  • Network with other attendees and speakers.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Solve cryptographic puzzles on Cryptopals
Sharpen your cryptography skills and apply your knowledge by solving a series of challenges.
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Show steps
  • Work through the challenges, starting with the easier ones.
  • Attempt to solve the more difficult puzzles as your skills improve.
  • Refer to the hints and solutions provided if needed.
Participate in a cryptography workshop
Develop your cryptography skills through hands-on practice in a workshop setting.
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Show steps
  • Find a workshop that covers topics relevant to your interests.
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate in the exercises.
  • Implement what you learned in your own projects.
Contribute to an open-source cryptography project
Gain practical experience and contribute to the cryptography community by working on an open-source project.
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Show steps
  • Find an open-source cryptography project that interests you.
  • Identify areas where you can contribute based on your skills.
  • Contact the project maintainers and propose your contributions.
Create a blog post explaining a cryptographic algorithm
Solidify your understanding of a cryptographic algorithm by explaining it to others.
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Show steps
  • Choose a specific cryptographic algorithm to explain.
  • Research the algorithm thoroughly to gain a deep understanding of its workings.
  • Write a clear and concise blog post that explains the algorithm's purpose, principles, and implementation.
Implement a cryptographic algorithm in a programming language
Reinforce your understanding of cryptography by implementing an algorithm from scratch.
Browse courses on Cryptography
Show steps
  • Select a cryptographic algorithm that aligns with your interests and skill level.
  • Choose a programming language that you are comfortable with.
  • Implement the algorithm according to its specifications and test its functionality.

Career center

Learners who complete Cryptography will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Cryptography Engineer
Cryptography Engineers design and implement encryption and decryption algorithms to protect data in transit and at rest. They also develop and maintain cryptographic systems and protocols. This course provides a foundation in the principles of modern cryptography, which is essential for a successful career in this field.
Cryptanalyst
Cryptanalysts analyze and break encryption systems and protocols. This course provides a foundation in the principles of modern cryptography, which is essential for a successful career in this field.
Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analysts design, implement, and maintain security measures to protect an organization's data and systems. This course provides a foundation in the principles of modern cryptography, which is essential for a successful career in this field.
Network Security Engineer
Network Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain security measures to protect an organization's network infrastructure. This course provides a foundation in the principles of modern cryptography, which is essential for a successful career in this field.
Security Architect
Security Architects design and implement security measures to protect an organization's data, systems, and networks. This course provides a foundation in the principles of modern cryptography, which is essential for a successful career in this field.
Software Developer
Software Developers design, develop, and maintain software applications. This course provides a foundation in the principles of modern cryptography, which is essential for developing secure software applications.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists analyze and interpret data to extract insights and make predictions. This course provides a foundation in the principles of modern cryptography, which is essential for protecting the privacy and security of data.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts analyze business processes and systems to identify opportunities for improvement. This course may be useful for Business Analysts who need to understand the security implications of business processes and systems.
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, execute, and control projects to achieve specific goals and objectives. This course may be useful for Project Managers who need to understand the security implications of projects.
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create and maintain documentation for software and hardware products. This course may be useful for Technical Writers who need to understand the security implications of products.
Sales Engineer
Sales Engineers sell and support technical products and services. This course may be useful for Sales Engineers who need to understand the security implications of products.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers plan and execute marketing campaigns to promote products and services. This course may be useful for Marketing Managers who need to understand the security implications of marketing campaigns.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts analyze financial data to make investment recommendations. This course may be useful for Financial Analysts who need to understand the security implications of financial transactions.
Accountant
Accountants prepare and maintain financial records for businesses and organizations. This course may be useful for Accountants who need to understand the security implications of financial transactions.
Lawyer
Lawyers advise clients on legal issues and represent them in court. This course may be useful for Lawyers who need to understand the legal implications of security breaches.

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.
Graduate-level textbook that provides a comprehensive overview of modern cryptography. It good reference for students who want to learn about the latest advances in cryptography.
Comprehensive and well-written textbook that covers the foundations of cryptography. It good reference for students who want to learn more about the mathematical underpinnings of cryptography.
Covers both the theoretical and practical aspects of cryptography. Provides a comprehensive overview of the subject matter.
A comprehensive reference book on cryptography, covering a wide range of topics. Useful as a reference for specific topics.
Good introduction to number theory, which fundamental topic in cryptography.
Covers both the theoretical and practical aspects of cryptography. Useful as a textbook for a course on cryptography.
Provides a good background in information theory, which is essential for understanding the theoretical foundations of cryptography.
Covers a wide range of security topics, including cryptography. Useful for understanding the role of cryptography in security systems.

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