Cryptography

Algorithms applied to data that are designed to ensure confidentiality, integrity, authentication, and/or nonrepudiation. Art or science concerning the principles, means, and methods for rendering plain information unintelligible and for restoring encrypted information to intelligible form. The study of mathematical techniques related to aspects of information security such as confidentiality, data integrity, entity authentication, and data origin authentication. Cryptography is not the only means of providing information security services, but rather one set of techniques. The word itself comes from the Greek word kryptos, which means “hidden” or “covered. ” Cryptography is a way to hide writing but yet retain a way to uncover it again.