The evolution of cryptography is likely to involve advancements beyond just increasing bit rates, for sure, researchers and practitioners continually seek to address emerging challenges and enhance security using cryptography.
While there are discussions about whether cryptography falls under Mathematics or Computer Science, it’s essential to note that they both play integral roles in cryptography. Math provides theoretical foundations via algorithms, probabilistic theory, and number theory, while Computer Science implements these concepts practically in software and hardware. Hence, cryptography serves as a confluence point of these fields, possessing a unique interdependence between mathematical theory and computational application.
Ikenna, this is a really good question. I think its both mathematical and computer science. It utilizes mathematical principles to design and analyze cryptographic algorithms and protocols, while its implementation and application often involve computer science concepts such as algorithm design, complexity theory, and network security.
Hashing, such as with SHA-256, plays a crucial role in data encryption by providing a fixed-size output (hash) unique to the input data. Before encryption, hashing is applied for data integrity verification and as a quick identifier for unique data. Hashing comes first before encryption to ensure the integrity of the original data, allowing the encrypted value to be securely transmitted. This two-step process I believe helps detect any alterations or tampering with the data during transmission or storage.
Will we ever see an end to the type of cryptography we use today?
With quantum computing and other major advances maybe one day all of our current encryption standards and subsequently our secure protocols will be crackable in an instant and a total rethinking of cryptography will be necessary.
I think with rise of quantum computers we will eventually see the end of current cryptography algorithms and we will eventually need to adopt to new technology
Hi Kenneth
The rise of AI holds significant implications for the field of cryptography, presenting both opportunities and challenges. Here’s an overview:
Strengthening Cryptography:
Advanced Encryption Techniques: AI can contribute to the development of more robust encryption algorithms. Machine learning can be employed to identify patterns and weaknesses in existing cryptographic methods, leading to the creation of more secure algorithms.
Quantum Resistance: As quantum computing poses a potential threat to traditional cryptographic systems, AI can aid in the development of quantum-resistant cryptographic techniques. Machine learning algorithms can be used to explore and design encryption methods that are resilient to quantum attacks.
Anomaly Detection: AI can enhance the detection of anomalous activities and potential security threats. Machine learning algorithms can analyze large datasets in real-time, helping to identify unusual patterns or behaviors that may signal a security breach.
Weakening Cryptography:
Adversarial Attacks: AI-powered attacks, specifically adversarial machine learning, could be employed to find vulnerabilities in cryptographic systems. Attackers might use AI to optimize strategies for breaking encryption or to generate inputs that exploit weaknesses in machine learning-based security systems.
AI-Enhanced Brute Force Attacks: AI can potentially speed up brute force attacks by learning and optimizing the process. This could pose a threat to cryptographic systems that rely on the computational complexity of key generation and encryption.
Bias and Ethical Concerns: The use of AI in cryptography introduces concerns about biases in algorithms and the ethical implications of automated decision-making. Ensuring fairness and transparency in AI-driven cryptographic solutions will be crucial to maintaining trust and security.
In essence, while AI has the potential to significantly strengthen cryptographic techniques, it also introduces new challenges that need to be carefully addressed. Continuous research, collaboration, and ethical considerations will be essential to navigating the evolving landscape of AI and cryptography.
In the context of quantum computing, current encryption technologies would not be sufficient in securing connections as quantum computing enables algorithm cracking at extremely fast speeds. What once would’ve taken decades or longer would now take days with quantum computers to crack. On the other side, quantum computers could allow the advent of newer encryption technologies designed to counter quantum brute-force attacks. Similarly with AI, both attacks and the development of newer cryptography are both bolstered by the advent of new technologies.
There is not supposed to be a way to reverse-engineer hashing algorithms as they are supposed to be a one-way function that results in a unique string. That being said, there are things like hash collisions where an insufficient hashing algorithm outputs two of the same hashes for completely different inputs. However, at most hash collisions can only be used in duplicating digital signatures or maliciously crafting a document with the same hash as a legitimate document. This does not usually result in any possibility of reverse-engineering a hashing algorithm unless there are other extreme security issues in a hashing algorithm.
As a cybersecurity professional do you think that its a worthy time investment to be trained in all types of physical security to better understand how to protect yourself and your organizations?
Not currently a professional, but I absolutely think it’s a worthy time investment to be trained in all types of physical security. Working on a computer, it’s easy to be caught up in the idea that our line of work involves computers only. And while computers are a big part of our profession, we need to realize there are many external possibilities that can cause an incident to happen at the organization we work for. This could be either through a usb drive someone inserts a computer that doesn’t belong to them, someone enters the building who isn’t authorized to, or a person enters the building while following behind you. All of these are things that with basic physical security training, will benefit us greatly throughout our career.
Cryptography has played a major role in shaping various aspects of our lives. Some real-world examples include the following,
1. Blockchain Technology: Cryptography is fundamental to blockchain technology, which powers cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Blockchain relies on cryptographic algorithms for securing transactions, establishing consensus mechanisms, and maintaining the immutability of decentralized ledgers, revolutionizing finance, supply chain management, and various other industries.
2. Secure Remote Access: Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) utilize cryptographic protocols to establish secure connections between remote users and corporate networks. By encrypting data traffic over public networks, VPNs ensure confidentiality, integrity, and privacy, enabling remote work and access to sensitive resources.
3. Data Privacy Regulations: Cryptography plays a crucial role in complying with data privacy regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Encryption techniques help organizations protect sensitive personal information, reducing the risk of data breaches and legal liabilities.
How would you explain cryptography to a five year old? having the knowledge that we do, we can get caught up with using complex terms to describe complex ideas, but, if you had to explain this concept to a kid, how would you go about explaining it?
Erskine Payton says
Maybe it’s just me, or is last semester starting to make more sense?
Andrew Young says
Absolutely lol, cryptography confused me a bit last semester but this is putting things in perspective
Andrew Young says
How do you think cryptography can evolve in the coming years beyond bit rate increases to function in a more secure way?
Ikenna Alajemba says
The evolution of cryptography is likely to involve advancements beyond just increasing bit rates, for sure, researchers and practitioners continually seek to address emerging challenges and enhance security using cryptography.
Ikenna Alajemba says
Is Cryptography actually a Math or Computer Science?
Michael Obiukwu says
While there are discussions about whether cryptography falls under Mathematics or Computer Science, it’s essential to note that they both play integral roles in cryptography. Math provides theoretical foundations via algorithms, probabilistic theory, and number theory, while Computer Science implements these concepts practically in software and hardware. Hence, cryptography serves as a confluence point of these fields, possessing a unique interdependence between mathematical theory and computational application.
Ikenna Alajemba says
Very well explained! Math and Computer Science are interwoven when it comes to explaining Cryptography, none could stand without the other.
Mariam Hazali says
Ikenna, this is a really good question. I think its both mathematical and computer science. It utilizes mathematical principles to design and analyze cryptographic algorithms and protocols, while its implementation and application often involve computer science concepts such as algorithm design, complexity theory, and network security.
Ikenna Alajemba says
Absolutely, Mariam.
Michael Obiukwu says
What role can hashing (say SHA 256) play in effective data encryption and why must hashing come first most times before encryption of the hash value?
Ikenna Alajemba says
Hashing, such as with SHA-256, plays a crucial role in data encryption by providing a fixed-size output (hash) unique to the input data. Before encryption, hashing is applied for data integrity verification and as a quick identifier for unique data. Hashing comes first before encryption to ensure the integrity of the original data, allowing the encrypted value to be securely transmitted. This two-step process I believe helps detect any alterations or tampering with the data during transmission or storage.
Jeffrey Sullivan says
Do you think current standards that are adequate enough or have kept up with the change in technology, specifically cryptography?
Nicholas Nirenberg says
Will we ever see an end to the type of cryptography we use today?
With quantum computing and other major advances maybe one day all of our current encryption standards and subsequently our secure protocols will be crackable in an instant and a total rethinking of cryptography will be necessary.
Mariam Hazali says
I think with rise of quantum computers we will eventually see the end of current cryptography algorithms and we will eventually need to adopt to new technology
Kenneth Saltisky says
With the rise of AI, what can we expect for it’s implementation in both strengthening and weakening the current landscape of cryptography?
Samuel Omotosho says
Hi Kenneth
The rise of AI holds significant implications for the field of cryptography, presenting both opportunities and challenges. Here’s an overview:
Strengthening Cryptography:
Advanced Encryption Techniques: AI can contribute to the development of more robust encryption algorithms. Machine learning can be employed to identify patterns and weaknesses in existing cryptographic methods, leading to the creation of more secure algorithms.
Quantum Resistance: As quantum computing poses a potential threat to traditional cryptographic systems, AI can aid in the development of quantum-resistant cryptographic techniques. Machine learning algorithms can be used to explore and design encryption methods that are resilient to quantum attacks.
Anomaly Detection: AI can enhance the detection of anomalous activities and potential security threats. Machine learning algorithms can analyze large datasets in real-time, helping to identify unusual patterns or behaviors that may signal a security breach.
Weakening Cryptography:
Adversarial Attacks: AI-powered attacks, specifically adversarial machine learning, could be employed to find vulnerabilities in cryptographic systems. Attackers might use AI to optimize strategies for breaking encryption or to generate inputs that exploit weaknesses in machine learning-based security systems.
AI-Enhanced Brute Force Attacks: AI can potentially speed up brute force attacks by learning and optimizing the process. This could pose a threat to cryptographic systems that rely on the computational complexity of key generation and encryption.
Bias and Ethical Concerns: The use of AI in cryptography introduces concerns about biases in algorithms and the ethical implications of automated decision-making. Ensuring fairness and transparency in AI-driven cryptographic solutions will be crucial to maintaining trust and security.
In essence, while AI has the potential to significantly strengthen cryptographic techniques, it also introduces new challenges that need to be carefully addressed. Continuous research, collaboration, and ethical considerations will be essential to navigating the evolving landscape of AI and cryptography.
Samuel Omotosho says
How do you envision the future of cryptography in the context of emerging technologies like quantum computing and artificial intelligence?
Also how might these advancements impact the field, and what challenges and opportunities do you foresee for securing information in the coming years?
Kenneth Saltisky says
Hi Samuel,
In the context of quantum computing, current encryption technologies would not be sufficient in securing connections as quantum computing enables algorithm cracking at extremely fast speeds. What once would’ve taken decades or longer would now take days with quantum computers to crack. On the other side, quantum computers could allow the advent of newer encryption technologies designed to counter quantum brute-force attacks. Similarly with AI, both attacks and the development of newer cryptography are both bolstered by the advent of new technologies.
Kelly Conger says
How do digital signatures and other authentication mechanisms leverage cryptography to ensure the integrity and origin of data?
Chidiebere Okafor says
Is there a method to reverse-engineer one way hashing systems?
Kenneth Saltisky says
Hi Chidiebere,
There is not supposed to be a way to reverse-engineer hashing algorithms as they are supposed to be a one-way function that results in a unique string. That being said, there are things like hash collisions where an insufficient hashing algorithm outputs two of the same hashes for completely different inputs. However, at most hash collisions can only be used in duplicating digital signatures or maliciously crafting a document with the same hash as a legitimate document. This does not usually result in any possibility of reverse-engineering a hashing algorithm unless there are other extreme security issues in a hashing algorithm.
Mariam Hazali says
a hash is a one-way mathematical function, however, attackers can employ mechanisms such as brute force attacks to break the hash
Alex Ruiz says
As a cybersecurity professional do you think that its a worthy time investment to be trained in all types of physical security to better understand how to protect yourself and your organizations?
Hashem Alsharif says
Not currently a professional, but I absolutely think it’s a worthy time investment to be trained in all types of physical security. Working on a computer, it’s easy to be caught up in the idea that our line of work involves computers only. And while computers are a big part of our profession, we need to realize there are many external possibilities that can cause an incident to happen at the organization we work for. This could be either through a usb drive someone inserts a computer that doesn’t belong to them, someone enters the building who isn’t authorized to, or a person enters the building while following behind you. All of these are things that with basic physical security training, will benefit us greatly throughout our career.
Akintunde Akinmusire says
What are some real-world examples of how cryptography has impacted the society?
Chidiebere Okafor says
Cryptography has played a major role in shaping various aspects of our lives. Some real-world examples include the following,
1. Blockchain Technology: Cryptography is fundamental to blockchain technology, which powers cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Blockchain relies on cryptographic algorithms for securing transactions, establishing consensus mechanisms, and maintaining the immutability of decentralized ledgers, revolutionizing finance, supply chain management, and various other industries.
2. Secure Remote Access: Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) utilize cryptographic protocols to establish secure connections between remote users and corporate networks. By encrypting data traffic over public networks, VPNs ensure confidentiality, integrity, and privacy, enabling remote work and access to sensitive resources.
3. Data Privacy Regulations: Cryptography plays a crucial role in complying with data privacy regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Encryption techniques help organizations protect sensitive personal information, reducing the risk of data breaches and legal liabilities.
Hashem Alsharif says
How would you explain cryptography to a five year old? having the knowledge that we do, we can get caught up with using complex terms to describe complex ideas, but, if you had to explain this concept to a kid, how would you go about explaining it?
Mariam Hazali says
Which is more secure and efficient between symmetric and Asymmetric(Public key) encryptions?