Module Title:Cryptography
Language of Instruction:English
Credits: 10
NFQ Level:7
Module Delivered In 2 programme(s)
Teaching & Learning Strategies: The teaching and learning strategies used in the module are a combination of traditional lectures and laboratory exercises. The laboratory exercises include group work and peer review. The module covers a number of threshold concepts that are explicitly highlighted for the students.
Module Aim: The module provides a broad understanding of the various forms of cryptography, the fundamental security goals achieved through cryptographic primitives, algorithms and protocols, and their possible weaknesses. The module puts particular emphasis on practical skills and cryptographic implementations in real-life applications.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1 Understand and describe the most prevalent cryptographic primitives, algorithms and protocols.
LO2 Select the appropriate cryptographic tools for various real-world scenarios.
LO3 Apply modern cryptographic techniques to enhance the overall security of a system.
LO4 Analyse and critically appraise the security of a cryptographic system.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
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.
No requirements listed
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Hash Functions and Applications
Integrity verification, password verification, salting, keyed hashing, MACs, PRFs, Merkle trees, authenticated encryption
Symmetric Cryptography
Classical ciphers, substitution ciphers, transposition ciphers, block ciphers, the Feistel scheme, SPN networks, AES, modes of operation, stream ciphers, RC4, ChaCha
Asymmetric Cryptography
Public-key encryption, RSA, elliptic-curve cryptography, cryptographic hardness assumptions, digital signatures, blind signatures
Key Exchange Protocols
Diffie-Hellman, public-key infrastructure, web of trust
Applications and Real-World Deployments
SSL and TLS, trusted computing, digital rights management, blockchains and cryptocurrencies
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment20.00%
Project30.00%
End of Module Formal Examination50.00%
Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Short Answer Questions The students will answer a series of short questions that test their knowledge of cryptographic primitives, algorithms, protocols and real-world use cases. 1,2 20.00 Week 7
Project
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Project The students will complete an individual project that is shared across modules. The project will have a cryptographic component. For example, users will need to be authenticated and data will need to be stored securely. 2,3 30.00 Week 11
No Practical
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Formal Exam n/a 1,2,3,4 50.00 End-of-Semester

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture 12 Weeks per Stage 3.00
Laboratory 12 Weeks per Stage 3.00
Independent Learning 15 Weeks per Stage 11.87
Total Hours 250.00
 

Module Delivered In

Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CW_KCCYB_B Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Cyber Crime and IT Security 5 Mandatory
CW_KCCYB_D Bachelor of Science in Cybercrime and IT Security 5 Mandatory