Cryptography and Cryptanalysis overlap in the area of ensuring data protection. Cryptography sets up a secure communication and information protection process through the process of encryption, whereas cryptanalysis tests the strength of cryptographic algorithms and brings forward the vulnerabilities that the system might have.

In the realm of data security and information protection, two terms frequently surface cryptography and cryptanalysis, as two of its most critical components. Although these factors are designed to protect the same data confidentiality they have their attributes of encryption and decryption.

Such dissimilarity influences the manner of handling information protection and secure communication, so it is essential to keep that in mind. In the age of digital hacking sensitive information and cyber-attacks are facts, the knowledge of cryptography and cryptanalysis is essential. It is not just about applying security protocols, but it is also about regularly monitoring and improving safety features against continuously developing threats.

What is Cryptography?

Cryptography is the science, as well as art which focuses on encryption of communication and information by using cipher codes. Its essential function is to provide data protection through encryption, which involves converting text into unreadable cipher text and so access by the wrong people can be prevented. Cryptographic techniques, by way of algorithms and keys, are used to encode and decode messages, being capable of discerning the original content only by authorized parties.

Cryptography Terminologies

• Plaintext: The medium, the non-encrypted source data, and the clear message.
• Ciphertext: The ciphertext is the form of incomprehensible plaintext. Only the encryption key can open the cipher and let the message be read.
• Encryption: The process of applying cryptographic algorithms and keys to convert the plaintext into ciphertext.
• Decryption: The process that is equivalent to encryption does decryption by way of converting ciphertext to plaintext with the aid of decryption keys.

What is Cryptanalysis?

Cryptanalysis is a unique science, which, among other things, solves the task of breaking the encrypted information and such cryptosystems as well. Decryption is doing what encryption is doing in reverse to face ciphertext, making clear patterns that lead to the original keys that can be employed to unravel the intention message. Cryptanalysts use different tools to accomplish their task from mathematical algorithms and statistical analysis to test-all keys, substitution, and frequency analysis. The very goal of cryptanalysis is to delay the decoding of the coded text and ensure the process of evolution of even more advanced cryptographic algorithms in the attempts to divert new cryptanalytic techniques.

Cryptanalysis Terminologies

• Brute Force Attack: A cryptanalysis technique whereby you keep on trying all the keys until you find the correct one.
• Frequency Analysis: A method involves untangling encrypted messages by studying the frequency of the letters or symbols in the ciphertext.
• Cryptanalysis: The activity of solving coded messages in cryptographic systems by disclosing the initial messages or the keys of decryption.
• Vulnerability: Cryptanalysts can make use of cryptographic algorithm’s weaknesses as well as imperfections in their implementations.

Difference Between Cryptography and Cryptanalysis