Program Overview

Introduction to Applied Cryptography Specialization

About This Specialization

Cryptography is an essential component of cybersecurity. The need to protect sensitive information and ensure the integrity of industrial control processes has placed a premium on cybersecurity skills in today's information technology market. Demand for cybersecurity jobs is expected to rise 6 million globally by 2019, with a projected shortfall of 1.5 million, according to Symantec, the world's largest security software vendor. According to Forbes, the cybersecurity market is expected to grow from $75 billion in 2015 to $170 billion by 2020. In this specialization, students will learn basic security issues in computer communications, classical cryptographic algorithms, symmetric-key cryptography, public-key cryptography, authentication, and digital signatures. These topics should prove useful to those who are new to cybersecurity, and those with some experience.

Courses and Projects

• 4 Courses: Follow the suggested order or choose your own.
• Projects: Designed to help you practice and apply the skills you learn.
• Certificates: Highlight your new skills on your resume or LinkedIn.

Projects Overview

Each course includes a corresponding learner's project. The projects are designed to help learners objectively evaluate different cryptographic methods as they may be applied to cybersecurity. The project assignments are graded assessments. Learners must earn 100% on the projects to successfully complete this specialization.

Instructors

• Sang-Yoon Chang: Assistant Professor, Computer Science, University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS). Research interest in security of networked systems. Teaches Intro to Computer Security, Applied Cryptography, and Wireless and Embedded Systems Security.
• Richard White: Assistant Research Professor, Computer Science.
• William Ban: Lecturer, Computer Science.

University of Colorado System

Campuses

• Boulder Campus: Offers academic programs, admissions information, tuition information, scholarships, and financial aid.
• Colorado Springs Campus: Offers academic programs, admissions information, tuition information, scholarships, and financial aid.
• Denver Campus: Offers academic programs, admissions information, tuition information, scholarships, and financial aid.
• Anschutz Medical Campus: Offers academic programs, admissions information, tuition information, scholarships, and financial aid.

CU System Departments

• Administration: Includes Board of Regents, Office of the President, and Office of Collaboration.
• Finance: Includes Budget & Finance, Treasurer, University Controller, and CU Data Made Simple.
• Legal: Includes University Counsel and Internal Audit.
• Compliance: Includes Office of Ethics, Risk and Compliance, University Risk Management, and Office of Policy and Efficiency.
• External: Includes University Relations, Office of Government Relations, Outreach & Engagement, and Office of Advancement.
• Academic: Includes Office of Academic Affairs, Faculty Senate, and various research initiatives.
• Internal: Includes Employee Services, University Information Services, Office of Information Security, and Procurement Service Center.