Cryptography subtopic covers algorithms, protocols, and the implementation of cryptography, including encryption, hashing, and digital signatures.
5 minutes
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Cryptography, within CISSP, refers to the practice and study of techniques for secure communication in the presence of adversaries. It's a critical domain of information security that focuses on converting readable data (plaintext) into unintelligible form (ciphertext) and vice versa using mathematical algorithms and keys.
Cryptography serves four main security objectives: confidentiality (ensuring only authorized parties can access information), integrity (detecting unauthorized data alteration), authentication (verifying identity), and non-repudiation (preventing denial of sending messages).
Key cryptographic concepts include:
1. Symmetric encryption: Uses the same key for encryption and decryption. Examples include AES, DES, and 3DES. Efficient but faces key distribution challenges.
2. Asymmetric encryption: Uses public-private key pairs. Public keys encrypt data while private keys decrypt. Examples include RSA, ECC, and Diffie-Hellman. Solves key distribution but is computationally intensive.
3. Hash functions: One-way mathematical functions producing fixed-length outputs from variable-length inputs. Used for integrity verification and password storage. Examples include SHA-256, MD5, and RIPEMD.
4. Digital signatures: Combines asymmetric encryption and hashing to provide authentication and non-repudiation.
5. PKI (Public Key Infrastructure): Framework managing digital certificates and public-key encryption.
Cryptographic strength depends on key length, algorithm strength, and implementation quality. Longer keys generally offer stronger security but require more processing power.
Security professionals must understand cryptanalysis (techniques to break cryptographic systems), key management (secure generation, storage, distribution, and destruction of keys), and compliance with relevant standards like FIPS 140-2.
Effective cryptography implementation requires balancing security requirements with performance considerations while addressing operational needs.Cryptography, within CISSP, refers to the practice and study of techniques for secure communication in the presence of adversaries. It's a critical domain of information security that focuses on converting readable data (plaintext) into unintelligible form (ciphertext) and vice versa using mathemat…