Cryptography

Cryptography is a fundamental security concept within CompTIA Security+ that focuses on securing information through mathematical techniques. It involves transforming readable data (plaintext) into unintelligible formats (ciphertext) that can only be accessed by authorized parties. Cryptography relies on several core components: encryption algorithms, keys, digital signatures, and secure hashing functions. Encryption algorithms are mathematical procedures that scramble data according to specific rules. Keys are values that control how these algorithms function, determining how plaintext becomes ciphertext and vice versa. Modern cryptography features two primary approaches: symmetric and asymmetric encryption. Symmetric encryption uses a single shared key for both encryption and decryption, making it fast but creating key distribution challenges. Examples include AES, DES, and 3DES. Asymmetric encryption employs key pairs—public keys for encryption and private keys for decryption. This resolves distribution issues but operates more slowly. RSA, ECC, and Diffie-Hellman are common implementations. Hashing creates fixed-length outputs from variable-length inputs, producing unique "fingerprints" that verify data integrity. Unlike encryption, hashing is one-way and irreversible. MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256 are prevalent hashing algorithms. PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) provides a framework for managing digital certificates and public keys, establishing trust in cryptographic transactions. Cryptography forms the backbone of secure communications, protecting data confidentiality, integrity, authentication, and non-repudiation. It safeguards information during transmission and storage, secures websites via HTTPS, enables secure financial transactions, and protects sensitive personal and organizational data. Understanding cryptography is essential for security professionals to implement proper protection mechanisms and recognize vulnerabilities in cryptographic implementations.

Cryptography is a fundamental security concept within CompTIA Security+ that focuses on securing information through mathematical techniques. It involves transforming readable data (plaintext) into u…

Concepts covered: Digital Signatures, Block Cipher, Symmetric Encryption, Stream Cipher, Hash Functions, Cryptographic Protocols, Cryptanalysis and Security, Asymmetric Encryption, Public Key Infrastructure, Cryptographic Key Management