CS-458: Introduction to Cryptography (Fall 2023)

This course provides an introduction to cryptography and the main types of primitives utilised in technical security mechanisms and security protocols embedded in widely used applications (web, messaging, data storage, data communications, etc.). It covers classical cryptosystems, private-key cryptosystems (including DES, 3DES and AES), public-key cryptosystems (including RSA, Diffie Hellman, DSA and ECC) and hashing (including SHA-1/2/3). The course discusses application security requirements and how these can be matched to cryptographic primitive security properties. The course introduces the main principles for the correct application of cryptographic techniques and elaborates on generic and specific attacks targeting cryptographic failures (e.g., wrongly implemented, or misconfigured applications). Finally, the course introduces post-quantum algorithms and quantum key distribution.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the main types of cryptographic primitives, their applicability and their correct use
• Describe the field of cryptography and its relation to security
• Describe classical ciphers and ways to cryptanalyze them
• Describe secret-key cryptosystems and ways to cryptanalyze them
• Explain the mathematical concepts underlying certain public key algorithms
• Implement and cryptanalyze private and public key ciphers

The final grade is calculated as follows:

• 45% Assignments:
  • 45% Assignments 1, 2, 3 (equally weighted)
• 55% Written exams (best case):
  • 15% midterm + 40% final
  • 55% final
• 10% Capture-the-Flag (CTF) contest (bonus)

Instructor: Dr. Harry Manifavas

Lectures: Mon, Fri 12:15 - 14:00

Lectures/Lab: 12:15 - 14:00 (You will be notified via email)

Location: A.125

Course Area: Software Systems and Applications (E5)

Course Credits: 6 ECTS

Prerequisites:

• CS-118: Discrete Mathematics
• CS-240: Data Structures

Suggested:

• CS-345: Operating Systems

Related courses:

• CS-455: Cybersecurity Lab
• CS-457: Introduction to Information Security Systems
• CS-457-1: Digital Forensics

This course was taught again in:

• 2022

Course staff	Email	Office	Office Hours
Instructor: Dr. Harry Manifavas	harryman [at] ics.forth.gr	TBA	TBA
Teaching Assistant: Boumakis Nikos	csd4346 [at] csd.uoc.gr	B210	TBA
Teaching Assistant: Kalochristianakis Dionisis	dionkal [at] csd.uoc.gr	B210	TBA
Teaching Assistant: Arakas Ioannis	arakas [at] csd.uoc.gr	B210	TBA