An Introduction to Cryptography

Explore the inner workings of cryptographic systems and techniques with this introductory course from the University of Leeds.

Duration

2 weeks

Weekly study

3 hours

100% online

How it works

Digital upgrade

Free

Grasp the fundamentals of cryptography for advanced data security

Millions of people fall victim to data breaches every year, resulting in the loss of sensitive information and financial harm. As technology-centred economies continue to grow, sophisticated cyber-attacks remain a threat.

How can we protect ourselves and our data in this increasingly digital world?

On this two-week course from the University of Leeds, get the answers to this question with a deep dive into cryptography, from historical ciphers to modern-day cryptographic techniques.

You’ll explore the basics of encryption, decryption, and standard cryptographic protocols, as well as modern methods, such as public key cryptography systems.

Promote data protection with cryptography’s encryption and decryption tools

You’ll start by grasping the basics of cryptography by exploring its purpose, fundamental principles, and origins.

Through expert insights and hands-on exercises, you’ll learn about the importance of encryption in securing data, the techniques for secure decryption, and the historical significance of classical ciphers.

Explore modern cryptographic algorithms

Examine RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman), one of the most widely used public key cryptosystems, and understand its role in establishing secure connections and facilitating secure data exchange over the web.

Then learn how hash functions ensure data integrity and the significance of digital signatures in verifying the authenticity and integrity of messages or documents.

Explore end-to-end encryption (E2EE) with the University of Leeds

Discover end-to-end encryption (E2EE) concepts, a critical method for securing data transmission and providing an additional layer of security against unauthorised access.

  • Week 1

    What is Cryptography?

    • Course Introduction

      Understand the world of cryptography, where secret codes and encrypted messages secure our digital communications and transactions. Explore simple and modern ciphers, understanding their importance in today's technology.

    • Simple cryptography

      Explore the fundamentals of cryptography and its significant role in modern life. Learn about ancient Greek and Roman ciphers, and practice encrypting and decrypting messages using these historical techniques.

    • Simple ciphers

      Explore historic ciphers and their relevance in modern cryptography. Learn about different types of simple ciphers and practice applying them to encrypt and decrypt messages.

  • Week 2

    Modern Cryptography

    • An introduction to modern cryptography

      Learn modern cryptography techniques, focusing on private and public key cryptography. Explore the concepts and differences between these two cryptographic methods, which are essential for securing communication on the Internet.

    • Uses of modern cryptography

      Explore modern cryptographic techniques used in everyday life. Learn about end-to-end encryption and digital signatures, and their roles in securing communications and verifying message authenticity.

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