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Cryptography I

Dan Boneh

Cryptography is an indispensable tool for protecting information in computer systems. In this course you will learn the inner workings of cryptographic systems and how to correctly use them in real-world applications. The course begins with a detailed discussion of how two parties who have a shared secret key can communicate securely when a powerful adversary eavesdrops and tampers with traffic. We will examine many deployed protocols and analyze mistakes in existing systems. The second half of the course discusses public-key techniques that let two parties generate a shared secret key. Throughout the course participants will be exposed to many exciting open problems in the field and work on fun (optional) programming projects. In a second course (Crypto II) we will cover more advanced cryptographic tasks such as zero-knowledge, privacy mechanisms, and other forms of encryption.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course overview and stream ciphers
Week 1. This week's topic is an overview of what cryptography is about as well as our first example ciphers. You will learn about pseudo-randomness and how to use it for encryption. We will also look at a few basic definitions of secure encryption.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Uses current and industry-standard techniques and algorithms
Develops lower-level and mid-level cryptography skills
Focuses on block ciphers, which are highly relevant to data protection
Teaches both theoretical concepts and practical applications of cryptography
Provides exposure to open problems in cryptography, fostering research skills
Builds from basic principles in number theory and works up to modern techniques

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Reviews summary

Foundational cryptography with theory & practice

According to learners, this course provides a strong foundation in modern cryptography, balancing theory with useful programming projects. Many highlight the instructor's clear explanations of complex topics. While the course is challenging and requires a solid grasp of mathematics and computer science fundamentals, students generally find it highly rewarding and an excellent introduction to the field, preparing them well for further study in Crypto II or real-world applications. Some reviewers mention the problem sets are tough but valuable.
Needs background in math and CS.
"You should have a solid background in discrete math and programming before taking this."
"It's listed as 'I' but it assumes a certain level of mathematical maturity."
"Coming from a non-CS background, the math was sometimes overwhelming without prior study."
Course is difficult and requires effort.
"This course is definitely not easy, be prepared to spend a good amount of time on problem sets."
"It's challenging but rewarding. Requires dedication and prerequisite knowledge."
"The material is dense and moves at a fast pace, definitely a rigorous university-level course."
Hands-on projects enhance understanding.
"The programming assignments are excellent, they really help to solidify the concepts."
"I loved the practical challenges provided in the weekly optional projects."
"The programming part made the theory stick better and feel more applicable."
Instructor explains complex concepts clearly.
"The professor is very clear and explains complex ideas in an intuitive way."
"Professor Boneh is an amazing lecturer, easy to follow and engaging."
"His explanations made even the most challenging topics accessible."
Provides a strong base in cryptographic theory.
"The course gives a very good overview of cryptography. It covers topics ranging from basic stream ciphers to public key encryption. The math is well explained."
"This course does an excellent job covering the theoretical underpinnings of modern cryptography."
"I feel like I have a much better understanding of the 'why' behind crypto algorithms after taking this course."

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 I with these activities:
Review probability theory
Solidify your understanding of probability theory, which provides a foundational basis for cryptography.
Browse courses on Probability
Show steps
  • Review textbooks and lecture notes on probability theory.
  • Solve practice problems and complete practice quizzes.
  • Explain key concepts to a friend or family member.
Review and organize course materials
Strengthen your understanding of the course material by reviewing and organizing your notes, assignments, and other resources.
Show steps
  • Review your lecture notes and identify key concepts.
  • Organize your notes by topic or theme.
  • Create summaries or mind maps to reinforce your understanding.
Review Applied Cryptography
Gain a comprehensive understanding of cryptographic algorithms, protocols, and their practical applications by reviewing this authoritative text.
View Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms and... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read each chapter thoroughly, taking notes on key concepts and techniques.
  • Solve the exercises and review the code examples provided in the book.
  • Discuss the book's content with peers or experts in the field.
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Build a glossary of cryptography terms
Enhance your understanding of cryptography by creating a comprehensive glossary defining key terms and concepts.
Show steps
  • Identify important terms from the course materials.
  • Write clear and concise definitions for each term.
  • Organize the terms alphabetically or by category.
Gather a collection of cryptographic resources
Enhance your learning by curating a collection of useful resources, including articles, tutorials, and tools related to cryptography.
Show steps
  • Search for high-quality resources on cryptography from reputable sources.
  • Organize the resources into categories, such as algorithms, protocols, and applications.
  • Share your collection with peers or create a publicly accessible repository.
Engage in cryptography discussions
Deepen your understanding by engaging in discussions with peers, exchanging ideas, and exploring different perspectives on cryptographic concepts.
Show steps
  • Join a study group or online forum dedicated to cryptography.
  • Actively participate in discussions, asking questions and sharing your insights.
  • Collaborate with peers on solving problems or understanding complex concepts.
Implement cryptographic algorithms
Gain practical experience by implementing cryptographic algorithms from scratch, deepening your understanding of their inner workings.
Show steps
  • Choose a programming language and development environment.
  • Select a specific algorithm to implement, such as AES or SHA-256.
  • Follow a tutorial or documentation to implement the algorithm.
  • Test your implementation using sample data and compare the results to known outputs.
Explore cryptography libraries and tools
Expand your knowledge by exploring cryptography libraries and tools, gaining insights into practical applications and industry best practices.
Browse courses on OpenSSL
Show steps
  • Select a popular cryptography library, such as OpenSSL or Crypto++.
  • Review the library's documentation and tutorials.
  • Implement basic cryptographic operations using the library.
  • Experiment with different security protocols and algorithms.
Build a simple encryption system
Apply your knowledge by building a simple encryption system, experimenting with different algorithms and exploring their strengths and weaknesses.
Browse courses on Cryptography
Show steps
  • Choose an encryption algorithm, such as AES or RSA.
  • Design the architecture of your encryption system, including key generation and management.
  • Implement the encryption and decryption functionality.
  • Test your system against common attacks, such as brute-force attacks or chosen-plaintext attacks.

Career center

Learners who complete Cryptography I will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Cryptographer
A Cryptographer would use the skills learned in this course to build and maintain cryptographic systems to protect sensitive information. This course provides a comprehensive overview of cryptographic systems and their applications. The course covers topics such as data encryption, authentication, and key management. This knowledge would be essential for a Cryptographer who needs to design and implement secure cryptographic solutions.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cryptographer
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer would use the skills learned in this course to develop and maintain software systems that use cryptography. This course provides a deep understanding of the principles and practices of cryptography, which is essential for designing and implementing secure software systems. The course covers topics such as data encryption, authentication, and key management.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
Security Analyst
A Security Analyst would use the skills learned in this course to assess and mitigate security risks in computer systems. This course provides a comprehensive overview of cryptographic systems and their applications, which is essential for understanding and mitigating security risks. The course covers topics such as data encryption, authentication, and key management.
See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst
Computer Scientist
A Computer Scientist would use the skills learned in this course to advance the field of computer science by developing new cryptographic algorithms and techniques. This course provides a deep understanding of the principles and practices of cryptography, which is essential for developing new cryptographic solutions. The course covers topics such as data encryption, authentication, and key management.
See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Scientist
Information Security Specialist
An Information Security Specialist would use the skills learned in this course to protect information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course provides a comprehensive overview of cryptographic systems and their applications, which is essential for understanding and implementing security measures. The course covers topics such as data encryption, authentication, and key management.
See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Specialist
Network Engineer
A Network Engineer may use the skills learned in this course to design and implement secure network protocols. This course provides a comprehensive overview of cryptographic systems and their applications, which is essential for understanding and implementing security measures in network protocols. The course covers topics such as data encryption, authentication, and key management.
See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer
Data Scientist
A Data Scientist may use the skills learned in this course to develop and implement machine learning algorithms that use cryptography. This course provides a deep understanding of the principles and practices of cryptography, which is essential for developing secure machine learning algorithms. The course covers topics such as data encryption, authentication, and key management.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist
Technical Writer
A Technical Writer may use the skills learned in this course to write documentation on cryptographic systems and their applications. This course provides a comprehensive overview of cryptographic systems and their applications, which is essential for understanding and writing documentation on these systems. The course covers topics such as data encryption, authentication, and key management.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer
Forensic Analyst
A Forensic Analyst may use the skills learned in this course to investigate cybercrimes and other computer-related crimes. This course provides a comprehensive overview of cryptographic systems and their applications, which is essential for understanding and investigating cybercrimes. The course covers topics such as data encryption, authentication, and key management.
See salaries and explore the career path for Forensic Analyst
Privacy Lawyer
A Privacy Lawyer may use the skills learned in this course to advise clients on legal issues related to cryptography. This course provides a comprehensive overview of cryptographic systems and their applications, which is essential for understanding and advising clients on legal issues related to these systems. The course covers topics such as data encryption, authentication, and key management.
See salaries and explore the career path for Privacy Lawyer
Risk Analyst
A Risk Analyst may use the skills learned in this course to assess and mitigate risks associated with cryptographic systems. This course provides a comprehensive overview of cryptographic systems and their applications, which is essential for understanding and mitigating risks associated with these systems. The course covers topics such as data encryption, authentication, and key management.
See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Analyst
Compliance Officer
A Compliance Officer may use the skills learned in this course to ensure that their organization complies with laws and regulations related to cryptography. This course provides a comprehensive overview of cryptographic systems and their applications, which is essential for understanding and complying with laws and regulations related to these systems. The course covers topics such as data encryption, authentication, and key management.
See salaries and explore the career path for Compliance Officer
Policy Analyst
A Policy Analyst may use the skills learned in this course to develop policies related to cryptography. This course provides a comprehensive overview of cryptographic systems and their applications, which is essential for understanding and developing policies related to these systems. The course covers topics such as data encryption, authentication, and key management.
See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst
Academic
An Academic may use the skills learned in this course to teach and research cryptography. This course provides a deep understanding of the principles and practices of cryptography, which is essential for teaching and researching this field. The course covers topics such as data encryption, authentication, and key management.
See salaries and explore the career path for Academic
Law Enforcement Officer
A Law Enforcement Officer may use the skills learned in this course to investigate and prosecute crimes that involve cryptography. This course provides a comprehensive overview of cryptographic systems and their applications, which is essential for understanding and investigating crimes that involve these systems. The course covers topics such as data encryption, authentication, and key management.
See salaries and explore the career path for Law Enforcement Officer

Reading list

We've selected six 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 I.
Cover image
Introduction to Modern Cryptography
Save
Provides a comprehensive introduction to modern cryptography, covering both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of the subject. It is an excellent resource for students and professionals who want to learn more about cryptography.
Introduction to Modern Cryptography: Third Edition...
Hardcover
$$$
Introduction to Modern Cryptography (Chapman &...
Hardcover
$$$
Introduction to Modern Cryptography (Chapman &...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Cryptography and Network Security: Principles and...
Save
Classic textbook on cryptography and network security. It provides a comprehensive overview of the field, covering both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of cryptography.
Cryptography and Network Security: Principles and...
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
Applied Cryptography
Save
Practical guide to cryptography. It provides a wealth of information on how to use cryptography to protect data and communications.
Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms and...
Hardcover
$$$
Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms, and...
Hardcover
$$$$
Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms, and...
Paperback
$$
Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms, and...
Paperback
$$$$
Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms and...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
A Charm of Magpies
Save
Popular history of cryptography. It provides a fascinating overview of the subject, from its ancient origins to its modern applications.
A Charm of Magpies: A bundle of The Science Magpie,...
Paperback
$$
A Charm of Magpies: An ebook bundle of The Science...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Handbook for Quality Management, Second Edition
Save
Provides a mathematical introduction to information theory. It valuable resource for students and professionals who want to learn more about the theoretical foundations of cryptography.
The Handbook for Quality Management, Second Edition...
Hardcover
$$$$
Cover image
Algebraic Curves and Riemann Surfaces
Save
Provides a mathematical introduction to algebraic curves and Riemann surfaces. It valuable resource for students and professionals who want to learn more about the mathematical foundations of cryptography.
Algebraic Curves and Riemann Surfaces (Graduate...
Hardcover
$$$

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Institution
Stanford University
Instructor
Dan Boneh
Language
English
Transcripts
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Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Uses current and industry-standard techniques and algorithms
Develops lower-level and mid-level cryptography skills
Focuses on block ciphers, which are highly relevant to data protection
Teaches both theoretical concepts and practical applications of cryptography
Provides exposure to open problems in cryptography, fostering research skills
Builds from basic principles in number theory and works up to modern techniques
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