Security

17.1 Encryption, Encryption Protocols and Digital certificates

Candidates should be able to:

1. Show understanding of how encryption works

Notes and guidance

1. Including the use of public key, private key, plain text, cipher text, encryption, symmetric key cryptography and asymmetric key cryptography
2. How the keys can be used to send a private message from the public to an individual/ organisation
3. How the keys can be used to send a verified message to the public
4. How data is encrypted and decrypted, using symmetric and asymmetric cryptography
5. Purpose, benefits and drawbacks of quantum cryptography

2. Show awareness of the Secure Socket Layer (SSL)/ Transport Layer Security (TLS)

Notes and guidance

1. Purpose of SSL / TLS
2. Use of SSL/TLS in client-server communication
3. Situations where the use of SSL/TLS would be appropriate

3. Show understanding of digital certification

Notes and guidance

1. How a digital certificate is acquired
2. How a digital certificate is used to produce digital signatures