🔐 Cryptography for Cybersecurity

Master cryptographic concepts and their applications in modern cybersecurity

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Cryptography for Cybersecurity Curriculum

12
Crypto Units
~95
Cryptographic Concepts
20+
Algorithms
35+
Security Applications
1

Cryptography Fundamentals

Understand the basic principles, history, and mathematical foundations of cryptography.

  • Cryptography overview
  • Historical ciphers
  • Mathematical foundations
  • Security goals
  • Threat models
  • Kerckhoffs' principle
  • Perfect secrecy
  • Computational security
2

Symmetric Encryption

Learn symmetric encryption algorithms and their practical applications in cybersecurity.

  • Block ciphers
  • Stream ciphers
  • DES and AES
  • Modes of operation
  • Key management
  • Initialization vectors
  • Padding schemes
  • Performance considerations
3

Public Key Cryptography

Master asymmetric encryption and its revolutionary impact on secure communications.

  • RSA algorithm
  • Elliptic curve cryptography
  • Diffie-Hellman key exchange
  • Key pair generation
  • Public key infrastructure
  • Hybrid cryptosystems
  • Forward secrecy
  • Quantum resistance
4

Hash Functions

Explore cryptographic hash functions and their crucial role in data integrity.

  • Hash function properties
  • MD5 and SHA families
  • Collision resistance
  • Message authentication
  • HMAC construction
  • Password hashing
  • Merkle trees
  • Blockchain applications
5

Digital Signatures

Learn digital signature schemes for authentication and non-repudiation.

  • Signature algorithms
  • RSA signatures
  • DSA and ECDSA
  • Signature verification
  • Certificate authorities
  • Code signing
  • Blind signatures
  • Multi-signatures
6

Key Management

Master the critical aspects of cryptographic key lifecycle management.

  • Key generation
  • Key distribution
  • Key storage
  • Key rotation
  • Key escrow
  • Hardware security modules
  • Key derivation
  • Secure deletion
7

Network Security Protocols

Understand how cryptography secures network communications and protocols.

  • TLS/SSL protocols
  • IPSec
  • SSH protocol
  • VPN technologies
  • Wireless security
  • Email security
  • Protocol analysis
  • Vulnerability assessment
8

Cryptographic Attacks

Learn about various attacks against cryptographic systems and their countermeasures.

  • Attack classifications
  • Brute force attacks
  • Side-channel attacks
  • Differential cryptanalysis
  • Linear cryptanalysis
  • Meet-in-the-middle
  • Birthday attacks
  • Implementation flaws
9

Random Number Generation

Understand the critical importance of randomness in cryptographic systems.

  • Entropy sources
  • Pseudorandom generators
  • True random generators
  • Seed management
  • Randomness testing
  • Hardware randomness
  • Entropy pools
  • Common weaknesses
10

Applied Cryptography

Explore real-world applications of cryptography in modern systems.

  • Database encryption
  • File system encryption
  • Cloud security
  • Mobile device security
  • IoT cryptography
  • Cryptocurrency basics
  • Zero-knowledge proofs
  • Homomorphic encryption
11

Post-Quantum Cryptography

Prepare for the quantum computing era with quantum-resistant cryptographic systems.

  • Quantum threats
  • Lattice-based cryptography
  • Code-based cryptography
  • Multivariate cryptography
  • Hash-based signatures
  • NIST standardization
  • Migration strategies
  • Hybrid approaches
12

Practical Implementation

Learn best practices for implementing cryptography in real-world applications.

  • Cryptographic libraries
  • Implementation pitfalls
  • Performance optimization
  • Security evaluation
  • Compliance standards
  • Code review practices
  • Testing methodologies
  • Future trends

Unit 1: Cryptography Fundamentals

Understand the basic principles, history, and mathematical foundations of cryptography.

Cryptography Overview

Learn the definition, purpose, and fundamental concepts of cryptography in cybersecurity.

Definition Goals Applications
Cryptography is the science of securing information through mathematical techniques. It provides confidentiality, integrity, authentication, and non-repudiation - the four pillars of information security.
# Cryptography Fundamentals
cryptography_basics = {
  "definition": "Science of protecting information using mathematical techniques",
  "core_goals": {
    "confidentiality": "Ensuring information remains secret",
    "integrity": "Detecting unauthorized modifications",
    "authentication": "Verifying identity of communicating parties",
    "non_repudiation": "Preventing denial of actions"
  },
  "main_types": {
    "symmetric": "Same key for encryption and decryption",
    "asymmetric": "Different keys for encryption and decryption",
    "hash_functions": "One-way functions for data integrity",
    "digital_signatures": "Cryptographic proof of authenticity"
  },
  "applications": [
    "Secure communications (HTTPS, TLS)",
    "Data protection (file encryption)",
    "Identity verification (digital certificates)",
    "Financial transactions (banking, cryptocurrency)",
    "Access control (password hashing)",
    "Software integrity (code signing)"
  ]
}

Historical Ciphers

Explore the evolution of cryptography from ancient times to modern digital systems.

Classical Cipher Examples:
• Caesar Cipher: Simple substitution with fixed shift
• Vigenère Cipher: Polyalphabetic substitution
• Playfair Cipher: Digraph substitution
• Enigma Machine: Mechanical rotor-based encryption
• One-Time Pad: Theoretically unbreakable cipher
Lessons from History:
Historical ciphers teach us that security through obscurity fails, frequency analysis can break substitution ciphers, and key management is crucial. These lessons shaped modern cryptographic principles.
# Historical Cryptography Evolution
historical_ciphers = {
  "caesar_cipher": {
    "period": "Ancient Rome (~50 BC)",
    "method": "Shift each letter by fixed amount",
    "example": "HELLO → KHOOR (shift 3)",
    "weakness": "Only 25 possible keys, frequency analysis",
    "significance": "First documented systematic encryption"
  },
  "vigenere_cipher": {
    "period": "16th century",
    "method": "Multiple Caesar ciphers with keyword",
    "advancement": "Resists simple frequency analysis",
    "weakness": "Repeating key patterns can be exploited",
    "significance": "First polyalphabetic cipher"
  },
  "enigma_machine": {
    "period": "World War II (1930s-1940s)",
    "method": "Mechanical rotor-based substitution",
    "complexity": "158 quintillion possible settings",
    "breakthrough": "Broken by Allied cryptanalysts",
    "impact": "Led to development of modern computers"
  },
  "lessons_learned": [
    "Security through obscurity is insufficient",
    "Key management is critical",
    "Mathematical foundations are essential",
    "Computational power changes the game"
  ]
}

Mathematical Foundations

Understand the mathematical concepts that underpin modern cryptographic algorithms.

Key Mathematical Concepts:
• Modular arithmetic and number theory
• Prime numbers and factorization
• Discrete logarithms
• Elliptic curves
• Information theory
• Computational complexity
Computational Hardness:
Modern cryptography relies on mathematical problems that are easy to compute in one direction but computationally infeasible to reverse without additional information (the key).
# Mathematical Foundations
crypto_math = {
  "modular_arithmetic": {
    "concept": "Arithmetic with wraparound at fixed modulus",
    "example": "7 + 6 ≡ 1 (mod 12)",
    "applications": ["Block ciphers", "Hash functions", "Key generation"],
    "importance": "Fundamental to most cryptographic operations"
  },
  "prime_numbers": {