The term cryptography might conjure up visions of wartime code-breaking or puzzles found in cereal boxes; you know, manual puzzle-solving from a bygone era. Examples include Caesar Cyphers, the British interception of Germany’s plot to help Mexico take over the US in World War I, and the Navajo Code talkers of World War II. Cryptography is the study of secret writing, a process aimed at protecting sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands. Until recently, cryptographers were responsible for writing ciphers and solving complex puzzles, relying on critical-thinking skills and relatively simple manually-run algorithms to crack codes. Today, modern cryptographers still solve puzzles, however, they now have sophisticated technology on their side.
These days, cryptography is a highly technical, in-demand career. It's become an essential piece of the cyber security landscape that aims to help businesses build trust with the public, keep government data secure, and detect weaknesses in wireless networks, email providers, and other staples of our digital lives. While this field in its current form is relatively new, it’s a promising area for cyber security experts with a strong command of computer science, math, and engineering, as well as a passion for solving puzzles with creative thinking.