Computer Security Art and Science, 2nd Edition

Chapter 10

Basic Cryptography

YORK: Then, York, be still awhile, till time do serve:

Watch thou and wake when others be asleep,

To pry into the secrets of the state;

— The Second Part of King Henry the Sixth, I, i, 249–260.

Cryptography is a deep mathematical subject. Because this book focuses on system security, we consider cryptography as a supporting tool. Viewed in this context, the reader needs only a brief overview of the major points of cryptography relevant to that use. This chapter provides such an overview.

Cryptographic protocols provide a cornerstone for secure communication. These protocols are built on ideas presented in this chapter and are discussed at length in later chapters.

10.1 Cryptography

The word cryptography comes ...