Note: this is an information page, the course is given through LiU's e-learning system lisam

TSIT03 Cryptology course content

After taking the course the student should be able to analyse and construct simple cryptographic systems and to evaluate and choose algorithms and more complex systems

The course covers

• the reasons for using cryptography in computer systems
• what basic classes of algorithms there are, how they differ and how they should be used in different situations
• the basic criteria for each algorithm class
• how to find the characteristics of given pseudorandom number generators and how to construct generators with given characteristics
• the limitations of stream ciphers and modern directions in the efforts to overcome these
• the principles behind block ciphers and their inherent weaknesses
• feedback modes for block ciphers
• the principles behind DES, its structure, Feistel networks
• alternative structures, especially AES
• principles and basic characteristics of public key technology
• the necessary basic mathematics behind public keys
• the Diffie-Hellman key distribution algorithm
• principles and details for the RSA algorithm
• principles and basic mathematics for elliptic curves
• the principles of authentication, message authentication codes and digital signatures
• the difference between message authentication with symmetric algorithms and with digital signatures
• requirements for cryptographic hash functions
• secret sharing principles
• zero knowledge
• quantum cryptography
• how to choose cryptographic protection that fits given requirements