An essential component of IT security involves the use of cryptography. In this chapter we will look at the basics of cryptography and provide an overview of a number of different types of cryptography.
An essential component of IT security involves the use of cryptography. In this chapter we will look at the basics of cryptography and provide an overview of a number of different types of cryptography.
== Algorithms ==
== Algorithms ==
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A cryptographic algorithm (also known as a ''cypher'') is a step by step sequence of mathematical calculations used to encrypt and decrypt information. There are currently three different types of cryptographic algorithms, hashing algorithms, symmetric-key algorithms and asymmetric key algorithms.
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A cryptographic algorithm (also known as a ''cipher'') is a step by step sequence of mathematical calculations used to encrypt and decrypt information. There are currently three different types of cryptographic algorithms; hashing algorithms, symmetric-key algorithms and asymmetric key algorithms.
