Cryptography and Cryptanalysis
What is Cryptography?
Cryptography is the science of using mathematical methods and algorithms to transmit
and store information securely. The primary goals of cryptography are:
• Confidentiality: Ensuring that information is readable only by authorized
individuals.
• Integrity: Protecting information against unauthorized alterations.
• Authentication: Verifying the origin of the information.
• Non-repudiation: Ensuring that the sender cannot deny having sent the
information.
Types of Cryptography
1. Symmetric Cryptography: The same key is used for both encryption and decryption
processes.
2. Asymmetric Cryptography: Different but mathematically related keys (public key and
private key) are used for encryption and decryption processes.
What is Cryptanalysis?
Cryptanalysis comprises methods used to uncover weaknesses in cryptographic systems
and break them. The purpose of cryptanalysis is to decode encrypted information without
authorization. Cryptanalysis techniques are used to evaluate the security of cryptographic
systems and identify vulnerabilities.
Types of Cryptanalysis
1. Breaking Attacks: Attacks aimed at obtaining the ciphertext or the key to decrypt the
information.
2. Analysis Attacks: Attacks that investigate the weaknesses of the encryption algorithm
or protocol.
Differences Between Cryptography and Cryptanalysis
Purpose: Cryptography aims to protect information, while cryptanalysis aims to obtain
protected information.
Users: Cryptography is used by those seeking to protect information, whereas
cryptanalysis is used by those aiming to decipher protected information.
Methods: Cryptography uses mathematical algorithms and protocols, whereas
cryptanalysis exploits the weaknesses in these algorithms and protocols.
Fundamental Principles of Cryptography
1. Kerckhoffs's Principle: The security of a cryptosystem should depend on the secrecy of
the key, not the algorithm.
2. Shannon's Uncertainty Theory: The ciphertext should not contain meaningful
statistical structures and should appear random.
Cryptanalysis Techniques
1. Brute Force Attacks: These attacks aim to find the correct key by trying all possible
keys.
2. Dictionary Attacks: These attacks aim to decrypt information by trying commonly used
words and passwords.
3. Side-Channel Attacks: These attacks use auxiliary information, such as the time taken
or the energy consumed by the encryption device, to decrypt information.
4. Statistical Attacks: These attacks aim to decrypt information by exploiting statistical
properties of the ciphertext.
Importance of Cryptography and Cryptanalysis
• Security: Cryptography is indispensable for ensuring data security.
• Reliability: Cryptanalysis helps test the reliability of cryptographic systems.
• Development: Cryptography and cryptanalysis are continually evolving and
complement each other. New cryptographic techniques and algorithms are
developed to address the vulnerabilities exposed by cryptanalysis methods.
