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COMP4217: Applied Cryptography

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Type	Open
Level	4
Credits	10
Availability	Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap	None.
Location	Durham
Department	Computer Science

Prerequisites

(COMP3697 Cryptography OR MATH3401 Cryptography and Codes III) AND COMP2211 Networks and Systems

Corequisites

None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

None

Aims

To understand:
the design of cryptographic protocols;
the security notions for cryptographic protocols.

Content

Hash functions: constructions and security
Application of hash functions: MACs, key derivation functions, MFA
Signature schemes: constructions, security and threshold signatures
Applications of signature schemes: SSL, certificates, key agreement
Construction of protocols and proving their security

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
an understanding of the key features of cryptographic hash functions;
an understanding of the key features of digital signature schemes;
an understanding of the issues faced in designing and assessing the security of cryptographic protocols.

Subject-specific Skills:

On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
an ability to evaluate the efficiency and security of protocols based on hash functions;
an ability to design various digital signature schemes and to assess their security

Key Skills:

On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
an ability to formally prove the security of hash functions and digital signatures;
an ability to assess the efficiency and security of protocols.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Lectures enable the students to learn new material.
The examination assesses the knowledge and understanding of the material covered in the lectures.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total
Lectures	20	1 per week	1 hour	20
Preparation and reading				80
Total				100

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Examination	2 hours	100	No

Formative Assessment

Example formative exercises are given during the course.

More information

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