cryptographer
Secret message expert
A cryptographer designs and analyzes systems for encoding information to keep it secret or secure.
The work spans mathematics, computer science, and security—creating ciphers, encryption algorithms, and protocols that protect communications from unauthorized access.
The cryptographer developed a new encryption standard for government communications.
Unencoded readable information
- ciphertextEncoded, unreadable message
- algorithmFinite problem-solving procedure
- keyLock-opening device
- symmetricEqual on both sides
asymmetric · RSA · AES · hash · steganography · substitution · transposition · Enigma
Covert intelligence gathering
- spyCovert information gatherer
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
intercept · counterintelligence · signals intelligence · SIGINT · NSA · classified · wartime · military
Confirming genuine identity
- digital signatureEncrypted verification of sender
- certificateFormal written attestation
- PKIDigital certificate management infrastructure
- SSLWeb encryption protocol
TLS · VPN · secure channel · confidentiality · integrity · protocol · handshake · Diffie-Hellman
Convert code to plaintext
- pattern recognitionIdentifying regularities in inputs
- brute forcePower over technique
- side-channelUnintended data emanation route
- differentialRelative difference between things
Expert in hidden messages
- researcherOne who studies systematically
- academicRelating to education or theory
- consultantProfessional advice provider
- engineerTechnical design professional
codemaker · codebreaker · Kahn · Hellman · clearance · publication · peer review · conference
Pure math studying integers
- primeReadying for action
- factorizationDecomposing into multiplicative parts
- algebraMath using symbols
- probabilityQuantified chance of occurrence
complexity · lattice · quantum · combinatorics · proof · theorem · Shamir
plaintext
Unencoded readable information
- ciphertextEncoded, unreadable message
- algorithmFinite problem-solving procedure
- keyLock-opening device
symmetric · asymmetric · RSA · AES · hash · steganography · substitution · transposition · Enigma · public key
espionage
Covert intelligence gathering
- spyCovert information gatherer
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
surveillance · intercept · counterintelligence · signals intelligence · SIGINT · NSA · classified · wartime · military · diplomatic
authentication
Confirming genuine identity
- digital signatureEncrypted verification of sender
- certificateFormal written attestation
- PKIDigital certificate management infrastructure
SSL · TLS · VPN · secure channel · confidentiality · integrity · protocol · handshake · Diffie-Hellman · zero-knowledge
decipher
Convert code to plaintext
- pattern recognitionIdentifying regularities in inputs
- brute forcePower over technique
- side-channelUnintended data emanation route
differential · Turing · break · crack · exploit · weakness · vulnerability
cryptologist
Expert in hidden messages
- researcherOne who studies systematically
- academicRelating to education or theory
- consultantProfessional advice provider
engineer · codemaker · codebreaker · Kahn · Hellman · clearance · publication · peer review · conference · patent
number theory
Pure math studying integers
- primeReadying for action
- factorizationDecomposing into multiplicative parts
- algebraMath using symbols
probability · complexity · lattice · quantum · combinatorics · proof · theorem · Shamir
- codes and cipherscipher, code, decode, ciphertext, plaintext
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- military personnelsoldiers, soldier, midshipmen, officers, troops
- puzzlerspuzzle master, brainteasers, brain-teasers, conundrums, enigmas
- specialistsanalyst, consultant, technician, cardiologist, dermatologist
- technical careersengineer, software engineer, software developer, programmer, data scientist
cryptographercryptanalyst
One who deciphers codes
codebreaker · decryptor · hacker · whistleblower · investigative journalist
cryptographercryptanalyst
One who deciphers codes
whistleblower · leaker · investigative journalist · intelligence analyst · spy
cryptography, cryptographic, cryptographers, cryptograph, cryptographs, cryptographically