Architecture and Engineering Part2

Question 1

Plaintext vs. Ciphertext:

Answer 1

• Definition: Plaintext is the original, unencrypted message, while ciphertext is the scrambled or encrypted version of that message.

Question 2

Frequency Analysis:

Answer 2

• Definition: A technique used in cryptanalysis to analyze the frequency of letters, characters, or patterns in ciphertext to deduce information about the underlying plaintext.

Question 3

Cryptanalysis:

Answer 3

• Definition: The process of analyzing and breaking encryption codes or ciphers to decipher the original message or reveal vulnerabilities in the encryption method.

Question 4

Out-of-band:

Answer 4

• Definition: Communication or data transfer that occurs using a separate channel or medium, often to enhance security and reduce the risk of interception.

Question 5

Key (and Key Generation):

Answer 5

• Definition: A key is a secret or unique value used in encryption algorithms to transform plaintext into ciphertext. Key generation is the process of creating these keys.

Question 6

Substitution/Transposition Cipher:

Answer 6

• Definition: Encryption methods where characters in the plaintext are replaced (substitution) or rearranged (transposition) to create ciphertext.

Question 7

Algorithm:

Answer 7

• Definition: A set of well-defined instructions or rules used in encryption to perform specific tasks, such as data transformation.

Question 8

Block Mode Encryption:

Answer 8

• Definition: A method of encryption that divides data into fixed-size blocks before encrypting them, often used in symmetric encryption.

Question 9

Key Pair (Asymmetric Encryption):

Answer 9

• Definition: In asymmetric encryption, a key pair consists of a public key (used for encryption) and a private key (used for decryption), providing enhanced security.

Question 10

Message Digest:

Answer 10

• Definition: A fixed-length string of characters generated from the original message or data using a hash function, often used for data integrity verification.

Question 11

Work Factor:

Answer 11

• Definition: The amount of effort or computational resources required to break an encryption scheme or cryptographic system, often used to assess security.

Question 12

Non-Repudiation:

Answer 12

• Definition: The assurance that the sender of a message cannot deny its transmission, ensuring accountability in digital communications.

Question 13

Private Key & Public Key:

Answer 13

• Definition: In asymmetric encryption, the private key is kept secret and used for decryption, while the public key is openly shared and used for encryption.

Question 14

In Band:

Answer 14

• Definition: Communication or data transfer that occurs using the same channel or medium, which may be less secure than out-of-band communication.

Question 15

Key Escrow:

Answer 15

• Definition: The practice of securely storing encryption keys with a trusted third party, often used for recovery or legal purposes.

Question 16

Encoding and Encryption:

Answer 16

• Definition: Encoding involves transforming data for reliable transmission, while encryption involves scrambling data to protect its confidentiality.

Question 17

Decoding and Decryption:

Answer 17

• Definition: Decoding is the process of converting encoded data back to its original format, while decryption is the process of converting ciphertext back to plaintext.

Question 18

Key Space:

Answer 18

• Definition: The total number of possible keys in an encryption system, often used to assess the level of security.

Question 19

Cryptography:

Answer 19

• Definition: The science and practice of securing communication and data through encryption, often used to protect the confidentiality and integrity of information.

Question 20

Hashes and Hash Function:

Answer 20

• Definition: Hashes are fixed-length strings generated from data using a hash function, used for data integrity verification and password storage.

Question 21

Collision:

Answer 21

• Definition: In hashing, a collision occurs when two different inputs produce the same hash output, which can compromise data integrity.

Question 22

Symmetric/Asymmetric Encryption:

Answer 22

• Definition: Symmetric encryption uses the same key for both encryption and decryption, while asymmetric encryption uses a key pair (public and private keys).

Question 23

Session Key:

Answer 23

• Definition: A temporary encryption key used for a single communication session, often generated on the fly for enhanced security.

Question 24

CPTED:

Answer 24

• Definition: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a concept that focuses on designing physical spaces to reduce opportunities for crime and enhance security.