Assessment - A comparative analysis of cryptographic algorithms

Aims of assessment.

1. To allow you to demonstrate a deep knowledge of cryptography Including ciphers and authentication)

2. To help you express your ability to implement and use cryptographic algorithms to encrypt and decrypt messages

3. To allow you to compare and evaluate different cryptographic methods used in modern-day computing

4. To allow you to identify areas for development in existing cryptographic algorithms

Learning outcomes

Investigate in-depth the core structure and operation(s) of modern ciphers and authentication primitives

Demonstrate a strong technical proficiency on applying current cryptographic methods to specific scenarios and critically reflect upon the best alternatives for a given case

Critically evaluate all the modern cryptanalysis techniques, methods and tools to attack a crypto-system

Fully justify the different types of cryptography and the structure of each type underpinning the frameworks governing their operation

Extensively practice the tools and methods provided for practical cryptography.

Fully justify selections in relation to a given case study as part of the in course assessment.

Combine the characteristics of the mechanisms/algorithms examined in order to stress out the areas of improvement and selection of the optimal solutions

Assignment

1. A written academic report that includes the following:
a. A discussion of the difference between cryptography and cryptanalysis (500 words)

b. A comparative analysis of symmetric and asymmetric cryptographic protocols and a discussion of the potential weaknesses of each method (1000 words)

c. By using a specific example of how a particular cryptographic protocol has been used (e.g. RSA, AES, Elliptic Curve Cryptography) explain at least two known methods that have been used to 'attack' these protocols in order to show that they are insecure (500 words)

d. A personal reflection on what the next developments will be in cryptography and what you think the greatest challenge to digital security is (500 words)

2. You also need to install the 'cryptography' or ‘pycrypto' library for Python and use one of the asymmetric algorithms to encrypt and decrypt the following message 'I am a secure protocol and my ID is XXX' where XXX should be replaced by your student ID number. As part of your submission you should show a set of screen shots that demonstrate that you have completed the task.

Guidance and tutorial information regarding Python and the 'cryptography' library will be placed under the assignment and feedback session. This will allow you to get a good understanding of the programming requirements and the way in which the Python package can be used.