cryptologist
Studies secret messages
A cryptologist studies or practices cryptology—the science of encoding and decoding secret communications.
The term covers both cryptographers, who design secure codes and ciphers, and cryptanalysts, who work to break them.
Cryptologists work in intelligence agencies, cybersecurity firms, and academic research: The cryptologists at Bletchley Park broke the Enigma code.
Hidden writing system
- plaintextUnencoded readable information
- ciphertextEncoded, unreadable message
- EnigmaGerman encryption apparatus
- BletchleyWWII cryptanalysis site
Turing · codebreaker · cracking · brute-force · substitution · transposition · side-channel
Covert intelligence gathering
- NSAFederal cryptologic intelligence agency
- CIAU.S. foreign intelligence service
- MI6UK espionage agency
- SIGINTIntelligence from communications intercepts
surveillance · classified · covert · counterintelligence · intercept · Snowden · clandestine · agency
Something unexplained or unknown
- BealeMemphis blues district street
- steganographyHiding data within media
- anagramReshuffled letter word
- riddlePuzzling question to solve
challenge · contest · decode · unravel · solve · enigma · conundrum · brainteaser
Finite problem-solving procedure
- RSAPublic-key encryption algorithm
- AESSymmetric encryption standard
- asymmetricNot identical on both sides
- symmetricEqual on both sides
hashing · protocol · blockchain · Diffie-Hellman · PKI · certificate · entropy · randomness
Readying for action
- factorizationDecomposing into multiplicative parts
- algebraicRelating to variable mathematics
- probabilityQuantified chance of occurrence
- statisticsCollected numerical information
combinatorics · complexity · computability · Shannon · lattice · polynomial · theorem
cipher
Hidden writing system
- plaintextUnencoded readable information
- ciphertextEncoded, unreadable message
- EnigmaGerman encryption apparatus
Bletchley · Turing · codebreaker · cracking · brute-force · substitution · transposition · side-channel
espionage
Covert intelligence gathering
- NSAFederal cryptologic intelligence agency
- CIAU.S. foreign intelligence service
- MI6UK espionage agency
SIGINT · surveillance · classified · covert · counterintelligence · intercept · Snowden · clandestine · agency · operative
mystery
Something unexplained or unknown
- BealeMemphis blues district street
- steganographyHiding data within media
- anagramReshuffled letter word
riddle · challenge · contest · decode · unravel · solve · enigma · conundrum · brainteaser
algorithm
Finite problem-solving procedure
- RSAPublic-key encryption algorithm
- AESSymmetric encryption standard
- asymmetricNot identical on both sides
symmetric · hashing · protocol · blockchain · Diffie-Hellman · PKI · certificate · entropy · randomness · secure
prime
Readying for action
- factorizationDecomposing into multiplicative parts
- algebraicRelating to variable mathematics
- probabilityQuantified chance of occurrence
statistics · combinatorics · complexity · computability · Shannon · lattice · polynomial · theorem
- codebreakerscodebreaker, codebreakers, cryptanalysts, decoders, cryptanalyst
- Navy Jobssailor, seaman, submariner, petty officer, ensign
- military jobssoldier, infantryman, marine, sailor, combat medic
- military rolessoldier, warrior, Praetorian Guard, sailor, Imperial Guard
- enlisted soldiersprivate, corporal, sergeant, enlisted man, recruit
- federal employeesfederal employees, FBI agent, federal workers, CIA agent, civil servants
cryptologistleaker
One who discloses secrets
whistleblower · hacker · Edward Snowden · Julian Assange · spy
cryptologistlayperson
Non-specialist or unordained person