What are the three main categories of cryptanalysis?

Classical cryptanalysis (mathematical + brute force), implementation attacks (side channels), and social engineering.

* The three branches of cryptanalysis — classical (mathematical + brute-force), implementation attacks, and social engineering. *

The taxonomy:

Cryptanalysis
├── Classical Cryptanalysis
│   ├── Mathematical Cryptanalysis
│   │   (differential, linear, algebraic attacks)
│   └── Brute-Force Attacks
│       (exhaustive key search, table lookup)
├── Implementation Attacks
│   (side channel attacks, fault injection, timing attacks)
└── Social Engineering
    (phishing, bribery, coercion)

Key insight: Even a mathematically perfect cipher can be broken through implementation flaws (power analysis, timing leaks) or by simply tricking/threatening the key holder. Cryptanalysis is broader than just math.

Go deeper:

• Cryptanalysis (Wikipedia) — the full landscape of attacks, from mathematics to side channels.