Code & Cipher | X Veritas Collegiate

Course Overview

The Code & Cipher course delves into the principles and practice of cryptography, encryption algorithms, and secure communications. Cadets learn how to design, analyze, and implement methods to protect information integrity and confidentiality in high-stakes environments.

This course balances theoretical foundations with hands-on application, preparing students to operate and defend complex communication systems against advanced threats.

Learning Objectives

Understand classical and modern cryptographic systems
Analyze encryption algorithms and their vulnerabilities
Implement secure communication protocols
Apply cryptanalysis techniques to test system robustness
Design cryptographic solutions for real-world strategic needs

Course Outline (Week by Week)

Week 1: History of Cryptography — classical ciphers and evolution
Week 2: Symmetric Key Cryptography — block ciphers, stream ciphers
Week 3: Asymmetric Cryptography — public key infrastructure, RSA
Week 4: Hash Functions and Message Authentication Codes
Week 5: Cryptanalysis Techniques — breaking ciphers
Week 6: Secure Communication Protocols — SSL/TLS, VPNs
Week 7: Quantum Cryptography and Emerging Technologies
Week 8: Hands-On Labs — encryption/decryption exercises
Week 9: Steganography and Data Hiding
Week 10: Legal and Ethical Issues in Cryptography
Week 11: Final Project Preparation — designing a secure system
Week 12: Final Project Presentation and Peer Review

Evaluation Criteria

Weekly Problem Sets: Algorithm analysis and cipher exercises
Labs: Hands-on encryption, decryption, and protocol implementation
Midterm Exam: Theory and practical cryptography skills
Final Project: Comprehensive secure communication system design
Class Participation: Discussion and peer collaboration

Study Materials

Core Text: Introduction to Modern Cryptography – Jonathan Katz & Yehuda Lindell
Supplemental Resources:

Mini Glossary

Term	Definition
Cryptography	The practice and study of techniques for secure communication in the presence of adversaries.
Cipher	An algorithm for performing encryption or decryption.
Encryption	The process of converting information into code to prevent unauthorized access.
Decryption	The process of converting encoded data back into its original form.
Symmetric Key	A cryptographic system where the same key is used for encryption and decryption.
Asymmetric Key	A cryptographic system using paired public and private keys.
Hash Function	A function that converts input data into a fixed-size string of characters, which appears random.
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)	Framework for managing public keys and digital certificates.
Steganography	The practice of hiding messages within other non-secret text or data.
Cryptanalysis	The study of analyzing information systems to break cryptographic security.

← Back to Academics