kriptograafilisi

Kriptograafilisi is an Estonian term describing topics, methods, and technologies related to cryptography. In practice, it encompasses the design and analysis of techniques for protecting information by transforming it into forms that are unreadable without authorized access. The field combines mathematics, computer science, and information security to achieve confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity.

Core concepts include encryption, which converts plaintext into ciphertext using a key, and decryption, which reverses the process. Cryptography relies on key management and diverse algorithms: symmetric-key schemes such as AES, and public-key (asymmetric) schemes such as RSA or elliptic-curve cryptography. Hash functions provide data integrity, while digital signatures offer authentication and non-repudiation.

Historically, cryptography has ancient origins, but modern cryptography matured in the 20th century. Public-key cryptography emerged in the 1970s, enabling secure key exchange over public networks, with Diffie–Hellman and RSA (discovered by Rivest, Shamir, and Adleman) being landmark developments in 1976–1977.

Applications range from secure communications (TLS/HTTPS) and email encryption to software signing and digital currencies. Standards and algorithms commonly cited in kriptograafilisi contexts include AES, RSA, elliptic-curve cryptography, SHA family hashes, and protocols such as TLS, PKCS, and OpenPGP. Increasing attention is given to post-quantum cryptography to withstand quantum attacks.

Security and practicality hinge on proper implementation, ongoing key management, awareness of side-channel risks, and the evolving legal and ethical landscape surrounding cryptographic technologies.