Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2023-2024

Module COMP4217: Applied Cryptography

Department: Computer Science

COMP4217: Applied Cryptography

Type	Open	Level	4	Credits	10	Availability	Not available in 2023/24	Module Cap	None.	Location	Durham

Prerequisites

(COMP3697 Cryptography OR MATH3401 Cryptography and Codes III) AND COMP2211 Networks and Systems

Corequisites

None

Excluded Combination of Modules

None

Aims

To understand:
the design of cryptographic protocols;
the security notions for cryptographic protocols.

Content

Hash functions: constructions and security
Application of hash functions: MACs, key derivation functions, MFA
Signature schemes: constructions, security and threshold signatures
Applications of signature schemes: SSL, certificates, key agreement
Construction of protocols and proving their security

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
an understanding of the key features of cryptographic hash functions;
an understanding of the key features of digital signature schemes;
an understanding of the issues faced in designing and assessing the security of cryptographic protocols.

Subject-specific Skills:

On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
an ability to evaluate the efficiency and security of protocols based on hash functions;
an ability to design various digital signature schemes and to assess their security

Key Skills:

On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
an ability to formally prove the security of hash functions and digital signatures;
an ability to assess the efficiency and security of protocols.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Lectures enable the students to learn new material.
The examination assesses the knowledge and understanding of the material covered in the lectures.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
Lectures	20	1 per week	1 hour	20
Preparation and reading				80
Total				100

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination		Component Weighting: %
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Examination	2 hours	100%	No

Formative Assessment:

Example formative exercises are given during the course.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University