Welcome to ECE 409 Cryptography and System Security! In this course, starting by introducing  some known attacks, we’ll dive into core concepts like cryptographic algorithms, trust and threat models, and types of attacks. You’ll gain hands-on knowledge of symmetric- and public-key cryptography, understand how pseudorandomness and computational security are used   in the design of cryptographic algorithms, and learn to think adversarially  about modern cyber systems. This course is designed to help you see how theoretical concepts translate into real-world applications that protect information in today’s connected digital systems using concrete examples such as applications in finance, health care, and evolving technologies.  With the fundamentals, you will discover how cryptographic principles secure network systems with various security protocols,  how to protect IoT devices in wireless communications, and ensure privacy in AI applications. We will also look ahead to the future, exploring cutting-edge areas like quantum key distribution and post-quantum cryptography to prepare for the challenges posed by quantum computing. 

Whether you are interested in developing secure software, building a foundation for research, or preparing for a cybersecurity career, this course provides essential, future-ready skills for wide exciting career pathways in cybersecurity or any engineering with cybersecurity knowledge.