Cryptography is the science of protecting information by transforming it into a form unreadable without the appropriate key. Modern cryptography relies on mathematical problems that are computationally infeasible to solve without the correct key, such as factoring large prime numbers in RSA.
Cryptography provides four core security services: confidentiality, integrity, authentication, and non-repudiation. These properties underpin everything from secure web browsing to digital signatures on software.
CISSP Relevance
Cryptography receives extensive coverage in Domain 3 (Security Architecture and Engineering). CISSP candidates must understand symmetric and asymmetric cryptography, key management, common algorithms, cryptographic protocols, and known attacks against cryptographic systems.
External reference: NIST Cryptographic Standards and Guidelines
Related terms: Encryption, Public Key Infrastructure