Cryptography is a vast and multifaceted field that requires both beginners and specialists to stay updated with its advancements and evolving sources. The need for securing and encrypting data is increasing exponentially, given the ever-growing volume of information worldwide through information systems. Therefore, we have compiled a collection of important resources and specialized websites in the field of cryptography that every beginner and specialist should refer to and learn from. We have made every effort to gather here the majority of these resources, focusing on the most beneficial ones.
Cryptography Organizations
IACR
is a non-profit scientific organization whose purpose is to further research in cryptology and related fields. Cryptology is the science and practice of designing computation and communication systems which are secure in the presence of adversaries.
Visit web siteCACR
CACR stands for the Centre for Applied Cryptographic Research. It is a research institute based in Canada that focuses on the study, development, and application of cryptographic techniques and technologies. CACR is affiliated with the University of Waterloo, a renowned institution known for its expertise in computer science and cryptography. The primary objective of CACR is to advance the field of cryptography through research, collaboration, and knowledge dissemination. It conducts cutting-edge research in various areas of cryptography, including cryptographic algorithms, protocols, key management, secure communication, and cryptanalysis. CACR collaborates with industry partners, government agencies, and academic institutions to address real-world cryptographic challenges and develop practical solutions. The institute actively engages in applied research projects that aim to enhance the security and privacy of digital systems, networks, and communications.
Visit web siteACA
The American Cryptogram Association (ACA) is an organization dedicated to the study and analysis of codes, ciphers, and other forms of cryptography. It was founded in 1929 and has since grown into a prominent community of cryptographers, enthusiasts, and professionals interested in the field of cryptography. The ACA provides a platform for members to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and collaborate on cryptographic puzzles, challenges, and research. It serves as a forum for discussions and networking among individuals passionate about the art and science of codes and ciphers.
Visit web siteNIST
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a physical sciences laboratory and a non-regulatory agency of the United States Department of Commerce. It is one of the oldest federal agencies and has been operating since 1901. NIST's mission is to promote innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology.
Visit web siteCryptography Software Platforms and libraries
Cryptool
Cryptool is an open-source software project that provides a comprehensive platform for learning and experimenting with various aspects of cryptography. It is designed to assist users, including beginners and professionals, in understanding and applying cryptographic techniques. Cryptool offers a range of tools and modules that cover different areas of cryptography, including encryption, decryption, digital signatures, hash functions, steganography, and more. These tools are presented in a user-friendly interface, making it accessible to individuals with varying levels of cryptographic knowledge. One of the key features of Cryptool is its educational focus. It provides interactive tutorials, demonstrations, and exercises to help users grasp fundamental cryptographic concepts and principles. Users can explore different algorithms, experiment with parameters, and observe the effects of various cryptographic operations. Cryptool supports a wide range of cryptographic algorithms, both classical and modern. It includes symmetric ciphers such as AES, DES, and Blowfish, as well as asymmetric algorithms like RSA, Diffie-Hellman, and elliptic curve cryptography. The software also incorporates hash functions like SHA-1 and SHA-256, as well as digital signature algorithms such as RSA and DSA. Additionally, Cryptool allows users to analyze and evaluate the security of cryptographic systems. It includes tools for performing cryptanalysis, exploring vulnerabilities, and simulating attacks on cryptographic algorithms. This enables users to gain insights into the strengths and weaknesses of different cryptographic techniques
Visit web siteOPENSSL
The OpenSSL project is an open-source software project that focuses on providing a robust, full-featured toolkit for the implementation of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols. It offers a wide range of cryptographic functions and utilities, making it a popular choice for developers and organizations seeking to secure their applications and network communications.
Visit web sitePycrypto
PyCrypto, also known as Python Cryptography Toolkit, is a legacy open-source library for cryptographic operations in Python. It provides a collection of cryptographic algorithms and protocols, allowing developers to incorporate encryption, decryption, digital signatures, and other cryptographic operations into their Python applications.
Visit web siteCrypto++
The Crypto++ Library, also known as Crypto++, is a free and open-source C++ library that provides a comprehensive set of cryptographic algorithms and functions. It offers a wide range of cryptographic primitives, including symmetric ciphers, hash functions, message authentication codes (MACs), public-key cryptography, key agreement protocols, and more.
Visit web siteNetwork Security Services (NSS)
Network Security Services (NSS) is a set of open-source libraries and tools developed by Mozilla that provide cryptographic and security services for applications and systems. NSS is widely used in various software applications, particularly web browsers and email clients, to implement secure communication protocols, encryption, digital certificates, and other security-related functionalities. NSS offers a range of cryptographic services, including symmetric and asymmetric encryption, digital signatures, key management, and secure communication protocols. It supports industry-standard cryptographic algorithms such as AES, RSA, Diffie-Hellman, Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), and various hash functions like SHA-1, SHA-256, and MD5. One of the key features of NSS is its support for Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols, which are essential for securing network communications over the internet. NSS provides the underlying cryptographic components that enable applications to establish secure connections, authenticate remote servers using digital certificates, and encrypt data transmitted between clients and servers.
Visit web siteGnuTLS
The GNU Transport Layer Security (GnuTLS) library is an open-source implementation of the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic and security services for applications that require secure communication over the internet. GnuTLS offers a comprehensive set of functions and features for implementing TLS and SSL protocols, including secure socket and connection management, cryptographic algorithms, certificate handling, and secure data transmission. It supports various versions of the TLS and SSL protocols, including TLS 1.3, TLS 1.2, TLS 1.1, TLS 1.0, and SSL 3.0. The library is designed to be flexible, portable, and efficient. It is written in C and aims to provide a secure and reliable solution for applications across different platforms and operating systems. GnuTLS is licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), which allows for its free use, modification, and distribution.
Visit web site