Module Details

Module Code: CYBR9004
Title: Cryptography and Protocols
Long Title: Cryptography and Protocols
NFQ Level: Expert
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2022/23 ( September 2022 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4817 - Cyber Skills
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: Cryptography is integral to our online world and information systems. It is essential that when building these systems we understand the significance of the cryptographic applications we use. In this module the student will learn the fundamentals of cryptography and its application in security protocols. These protocols allow systems to achieve information security, privacy and trust. Students will learn the mathematics and cryptographic tools to analyse and understand the strengths and shortcomings of such security protocols and will develop an understanding of how to improve insecure systems. This module was developed under the CyberSkills HCI Pillar 3 Project. Please refer to consortium agreement for ownership.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Apply mathematical concepts (number theory, geometry and group theory) to understand the working and capabilities of symmetric cryptography, public key cryptography, digital signatures and hash functions.
LO2 Critically evaluate and enable real-world implementations of symmetric cryptography, public key cryptography, digital signatures and hash functions.
LO3 Develop security protocols which leverage cryptographic techniques to achieve confidentiality, authentication and key exchange.
LO4 Analyse future cryptographic needs and applications of cryptography to achieve system security.
LO5 Evaluate technical and research papers which will aid continuous learning and students' ability to stay up to date with best practice in the field.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Introduction to cryptography
What are the key security objectives? What are the attacks? What protections do we expect? Introduce the three fundamental building blocks in cryptography: symmetric cryptography, public-key cryptography and hash functions. Cover the notation used in cryptography.
Symmetric cryptography
Types of symmetric cryptography; stream ciphers, block ciphers. Begin with the core fundamentals of the technology and then implement and evaluate real implementations. E.g. 3DES, AES modes, Blowfish, etc.
Public-key cryptography
Begin with the number theory, primes and factorization knowledge students need to understand Diffie-Hellman and RSA. Real-world implementations of both will then be studied. Elliptic curve cryptography and post-quantum solutions will also be examined. PKIs.
Hash functions and Digital Signatures
Hashing and salting techniques. Hash functions such as MD5, SHA, RIPEMD. Signature schemes with appendix, with recovery and with hash and redundancy functions.
Security protocols
Protocol notation. With a focus on the underlying cryptography, protocols for confidentiality, authentication and key establishment will be analysed (Kerberos, NSPK, NSSK, X.509, PGP, IPSec, ZKP). Focused on examples and exercises designed to develop student's ability to self-research and critically examine new technologies and developments.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 50
Timing Week 9 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Students will be asked to regularly complete questions, labs, tasks and MCQs as part of the course work. Students will submit this work for assessment in Week 9.
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 50
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Students will submit a project that studies an information system. Students will discuss the cryptography and protocols that should be imbedded in that system to make it secure. Students should reference the strengths and weaknesses of the chosen implementation.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lectures covering the theoretical concepts underpinning the learning outcomes. Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Lab to support the learning outcomes. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent learning by the student. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lectures covering the theoretical concepts underpinning the learning outcomes. Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Lab to support the learning outcomes. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent learning by the student. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Niels Ferguson, Bruce Schneier, Tadayoshi Kohno. (2011), Cryptography engineering: design principles and practical applications, Wiley, [ISBN: 9780470474242].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Alfred J. Menezes, Paul C. van Oorschot and Scott A. Vanstone. (1996), Handbook of Applied Cryptography, CRC Press, Inc., [ISBN: 0-8493-8523-7].
  • Dan Boneh and Victor Shoup. (2020), A Graduate Course in Applied Cryptography, Stanford University.
  • Manning Publications. Real World Cryptography.
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Gavin Lowe. (1995), An attack on the needham-schroeder public-key authentication protocol, Information processing letters, 56(3).
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_KSSAR_9 Certificate in Secure Systems Architecture 1 Mandatory