Cryptographer job role and responsibilities
The transfer of information over the internet seems to be rather easy for us as being the observant and simple users of this technology. But there is a whole other game that is taking place behind the curtains, for which we have been left in dark for too long. But with the help of this very article, we will be unveiling the truth about that disguised event of information transfer taking place from server to server and explore the options for profession that lies within this stead.
How does information get transferred?
As peculiar as it may sound the information over the internet doesn’t get transferred as easily as we think it does. There is a whole mechanism that governs this transfer and is not that difficult to understand at all. At first the information is broken down into smaller packets which are then encrypted for their safe transfer across various servers and networking mediums. The most common encryption technique used by web browsers today is the SSL encryption.
Encrypting the data makes it less liable to being attacked or sabotaged by the cyber criminals or hackers mid-air and thus prevents any damage to the sensitive financial or personal information of the clients. Encrypting the data requires dedicated tools and knowledge on how to best use these software systems, thus requiring the services of a cryptographer. Cryptographers having the appropriate cyber security hands on training know all the nitty gritty details of how to encrypt the data, develop algorithms that can help in proper encryption or decryption of the information as well as help sensitive organizations in safe delivery of their information.
What does a cryptographer do?
Cryptographers are the professionals who are tasked with the encryption of the data and sensitive information which is considered to be extremely secretive such as the personal or financial details of the customers being served by an IT based industry or any other relative business. Their primary goal is to make sure that the information, medium through which its transfer takes place as well as the computers, servers and networking systems used for the sake of transfer are secure from any inconsistency on cyber criminal’s end.
Apart from speculating the technology which is to be used for the process of encryption these professionals are also trained to develop the ciphers, algorithms and other sophisticated systems that not only make the idea of a secured IT organization or business come to life but also help in effective management of security systems. The most basic encryption software used is Linux and other extensions can be installed depending on the type and nature of encryption that you do.
Types of cryptographers
There are various types and designs of cryptographers out there, there are some who design the code and others who execute it. And then there is a third type where the cipher or algorithm is being developed and then implemented by the same person. This solely depends on the type of the industry or organization you will be working for. Parsing of the information and data is something that should be on your fingertips, you can also be asked to separate the data against a particular setting or categorize the data for what it represents.
How would you be executing your job?
Suppose that you have acquired the job working as a cryptographer, what comes next? Well, for starters you would have to understand the type of the data or information the IT industry deals with. After learning this information you would be developing standard systems or ciphers carrying the code following which the data has to be encrypted. Each code or algorithm depicts a different pattern on the basis of which the information would be encrypted.
After you have applied the encryption to a file, piece of data or information, the next step that lies is to create a secured code or key which has another algorithm on it which can unlock the contents that are locked via encryption. They key can be dealt with or provided to the dedicated personnel in various forms such as a passcode, a physical electronic key or other digital media. The bottom line is that no one will be able to unlock what’s encrypted without having the exact same key which is programmed to securely reveal the contents of the data encrypted.
There might be a silver lining for the cyber criminals, such as study the very object which is locked or encrypted, and use the advanced systems to reverse engineer a key of their own. But again, it is your job to outsmart them every step of the way, that is why you will be deploying a complex network of firewalls guarding the content of the key, unable to be extracted or replicated in any way. Yet on the other hand if the tries to do so, start getting more and more vicious on the hacker’s end then the key would be programmed to self-destruct itself and along with it the everything that it carries. This is what you will be doing if you get the job as a cryptographer, apart from that management of security systems being used by the professionals of your organization and establishing a system of communication back and forth.
Detailed prerequisites of becoming a cryptographer
Having a bachelors in computer science would confirm that the individual in fact has provided with the validation of the skills that they possess. But on the other hand having some kind of educational background in mathematics would help you look great and viable for the current job that you are applying for. Algorithms, mathematical formulas and relations are an asset to cryptographers and should be pursued by the professionals looking after a particular job.
If you are an IT professional looking forward to work as a cryptanalyst, there are a few skills that you need to master. Some of them include computer architecture, data structures, algorithms as well as mathematical knowledge. Use of C, C++, Python. Java along with other programming languages is paramount for the cryptanalysts.
Since you would be doing a lot of legwork such as coding and programming therefore the need to penetrate and infiltrate the security systems of your organization is also necessary. This is where finding the best ethical hacking course online would prove to be a solid help for you to set on a new journey.