Cryptography and Data Protection

Course aim

To provide knowledge in applied cryptography and skills for applying data protection methods to data-at-rest and data-in-transit in modern communication networks and emerging technologies.

Course content

The course content includes:

• Essential mathematical background including concepts of complexity theory, modular arithmetic, factoring of large numbers, the discrete log problem.
• Core cryptographic concepts: attacker or threat model, security notions, principles of cryptanalysis.
• Symmetric-key cryptography: block ciphers, stream ciphers, authenticated encryption, hashing and collision resistance, message authentication codes for data integrity and sender authentication.
• Asymmetric-key cryptography: signing and verification using RSA, DSA and ECC algorithms, homomorphic encryption.
• Principles of cryptographic protocols, e.g. Diffie-Hellman key exchange.
• Introduction to quantum computing and post-quantum cryptography.
• Applications of cryptographic methods to information assurance problems.
• Development of security policies based on technical and non-technical standards and frameworks.

Textbook(s)

J. Katz and Y. Lindell 2021, Introduction to Modern Cryptography, 3rd, CRC Press

Prerequisite(s)

Nil

Corequisite(s)

Teaching method

Note: These components may or may not be scheduled in every study period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Assessment

Examination, Skills demonstration

Fees

EFTSL*: 0.125
Commonwealth Supported program (Band 2)
To determine the fee for this course as part of a Commonwealth Supported program, go to:
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Fee-paying program for domestic and international students
International students and students undertaking this course as part of a postgraduate fee paying program must refer to the relevant program home page to determine the cost for undertaking this course.

Non-award enrolment
Non-award tuition fees are set by the university. To determine the cost of this course, go to:
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Not all courses are available on all of the above bases, and students must check to ensure that they are permitted to enrol in a particular course.

* Equivalent Full Time Study Load. Please note: all EFTSL values are published and calculated at ten decimal places. Values are displayed to three decimal places for ease of interpretation.