Cryptography is an essential part of secure but accessible communication that's critical for our everyday life and organisations use it to protect their privacy and keep their conversations and data confidential. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the fascinating world of cryptography, covering both historical cyphers and modern-day cryptographic techniques.
An Introduction to Cryptography
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Beginner level
No prior experience required
8 hours to complete
3 weeks at 2 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
What you'll learn
Describe the fundamental concepts and principles of cryptography.
Explore historical cyphers and their significance in the evolution of cryptography.
Investigate modern cryptographic algorithms and protocols.
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Skills you'll gain
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Assessments
4 assignments
Taught in English
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There are 2 modules in this course
Welcome to the first week of the course! We will start the week with an exploration of what cryptography is and what it is used for and then move on to look at some cryptographic techniques, via some ancient cryptography. Although these ancient cryptographic techniques are not very useful in modern life, they are good at demonstrating some of the concepts that are still used in modern day cryptography. Week 1 lays the foundation for Week 2, when we will turn our attention to modern cryptography.
What's included
2 videos15 readings1 assignment4 discussion prompts
Welcome to Week 2. In this week you will bring your knowledge about cryptography up to date in the modern day. This is where we start to look at more complex methods for more complex contemporary requirements. To start off, you will be introduced to a concept called 'public key cryptography' which is extensively used on the internet. You will then learn about hash functions and how some cryptographic techniques can be used to produce a digital signature.
What's included
1 video15 readings3 assignments2 discussion prompts
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Algorithms
University of California, Irvine
Princeton University
Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani
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Frequently asked questions
This course is part of Click Start, a UK training programme designed to help young people develop digital skills. Click Start is offering a limited number of scholarships giving free access to young people in the UK.
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