How truly random are TRNGs based on random physical processes?
Randomness is a fundamental concept in cryptography, as it plays a crucial role in ensuring the security of cryptographic systems. True Random Number Generators (TRNGs) based on random physical processes are often used to generate random numbers for cryptographic purposes. These TRNGs aim to produce unpredictable and unbiased random numbers by exploiting the inherent randomness
How in details the Enigma machine was broken?
The Enigma machine, a cryptographic device used by the German military during World War II, was considered unbreakable due to its complex design and encryption algorithms. However, a team of cryptanalysts led by Alan Turing and his colleagues at Bletchley Park successfully broke the Enigma cipher, significantly contributing to the Allied victory. This breakthrough was
- Published in Cybersecurity, EITC/IS/CCF Classical Cryptography Fundamentals, History of cryptography, Modular arithmetic and historical ciphers
How the Enigma machine can be classified in regard to historical ciphers?
The Enigma machine, an electromechanical device used for encryption and decryption, holds a significant place in the history of cryptography. It can be classified as a historical cipher within the context of classical cryptography. The Enigma machine was primarily used by the German military during World War II to secure their communications. In terms of
- Published in Cybersecurity, EITC/IS/CCF Classical Cryptography Fundamentals, History of cryptography, Modular arithmetic and historical ciphers
What are the 5 basic steps for the RSA cipher?
The RSA cipher is a widely used public-key encryption algorithm that relies on the mathematical properties of prime numbers and modular arithmetic. It was developed in 1977 by Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Leonard Adleman, and has since become one of the most important cryptographic algorithms in use today. The RSA cipher is based on
Are different ways of using a block cipher for encryption referred to as modes of operation?
In the field of cybersecurity and classical cryptography, the different ways of using a block cipher for encryption are indeed referred to as modes of operation. These modes of operation can be broadly categorized into two main categories: deterministic encryption and probabilistic encryption. However, there is another category known as authenticated encryption, which combines both
When was the RSA cryptosystem invented and patented?
The RSA cryptosystem, a cornerstone of modern public-key cryptography, was invented in 1977 by Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Leonard Adleman. However, it is important to note that the RSA algorithm itself was not patented in the United States until 2020. The RSA algorithm is based on the mathematical problem of factoring large composite numbers,
- Published in Cybersecurity, EITC/IS/CCF Classical Cryptography Fundamentals, Introduction to public-key cryptography, The RSA cryptosystem and efficient exponentiation
Why in the RSA cipher the public key has one part, while the private key has two parts?
The RSA cipher, which is widely used in public-key cryptography, utilizes a pair of keys: a public key and a private key. These keys are used in modular algebra computations to encrypt and decrypt messages. The public key consists of one part, while the private key consists of two parts. To understand the role of
- Published in Cybersecurity, EITC/IS/CCF Classical Cryptography Fundamentals, Introduction to public-key cryptography, The RSA cryptosystem and efficient exponentiation
Why a block cipher can be easily turned into a stream cipher while the opposite is not the case?
A block cipher can be indeed easily turned into a stream cipher while the opposite is not the case. This is due to the fundamental differences between block ciphers and stream ciphers, as well as the properties and requirements of each. To better understand this problem, let's first define what block ciphers and stream ciphers
Can Euler’s theorem be used to simplify the reduction of large powers modulo n?
Euler's theorem can be indeed used to simplify reduction of large powers modulo n. Euler's theorem is a fundamental result in number theory that establishes a relationship between modular exponentiation and Euler's phi function. It provides a way to efficiently compute the remainder of a large power when divided by a positive integer. Euler's theorem
How to account for wrapping around in a shift cipher?
In the field of classical cryptography, the shift cipher is a simple and widely used encryption technique. It operates by shifting each letter of the plaintext by a fixed number of positions in the alphabet. To account for wrapping around, where shifting beyond the end of the alphabet would result in a loop back to