Cybersecurity
Cryptography
Definition
Cryptography is the practice and study of techniques for secure communication in the presence of third parties called adversaries. It encompasses methods for encryption, decryption, hashing, and digital signatures.
Why It Matters
Cryptography is the mathematical foundation of modern security. It provides the tools to ensure confidentiality, integrity, authentication, and non-repudiation in digital communications.
Contextual Example
When you use a secure messaging app like Signal, it uses end-to-end encryption (a cryptographic technique) to ensure that only you and the recipient can read the messages, not even the company that runs the service.
Common Misunderstandings
- Cryptography is about protecting data with math.
- It is a highly complex field, and developers are almost always advised to use well-vetted, standard cryptographic libraries rather than trying to invent their own.