Cryptography Theory & Practice - COM00183M
Module summary
The module aims to provide a broad overview of modern cryptography. The module will cover the fundamental security goals achieved through cryptographic algorithms and protocols, how they are formalised, designs that enable achieving those goals, and how formal security arguments can be made for the design achieving the security goals.
Related modules
Prohibited combinations
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2026-27 |
Module aims
The module aims to provide a broad overview of modern cryptography. The module will cover the fundamental security goals achieved through cryptographic algorithms and protocols, how they are formalised, designs that enable achieving those goals, and how formal security arguments can be made for the design achieving the security goals.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module the students will be able to:
1. explain the fundamentals of symmetric and public-key cryptography;
2. apply intuitive and formal cryptographic definitions of security properties to diverse constructions and applications;
3. analyse the security and efficiency of cryptographic constructions from both the theoretical and practical points of view;
4. assess whether given cryptographic algorithms and protocols meet the security requirements for given applications;
5. propose appropriate cryptographic tools to achieve the security requirements for given applications.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 100.0 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 100.0 |
Module feedback
Feedback is provided through work in practical sessions, and after the final assessment as per normal University guidelines.
Indicative reading
[1] J. Katz, Introduction to modern cryptography, Third edition ::
Chapman & Hall/CRC, 2020
[2] J.-P. Aumasson, Serious
cryptography : a practical introduction to modern encryption :: No
Starch Press, 2018
[3] C. Paar, Understanding cryptography : a
textbook for students and practitioners :: Springer, 2009
[4] A.
McAndrew, Introduction to cryptography with open-source software ::
CRC Press, 2011
[5] W. Stallings, Cryptography and network
security : principles and practice, Seventh edition :: Pearson,
2017
[6] A. J. Menezes, Handbook of applied cryptography :: CRC
Press, 1997