Quiz Entry - updated: 2026.07.14
What is the difference between cryptography and cryptanalysis?
Cryptography is about designing crypto algorithms; cryptanalysis is about breaking them.
Both fall under the umbrella of cryptology, which is the overarching science.
| Term | Focus |
|---|---|
| Cryptography | Designing and building secure ciphers, protocols, and systems |
| Cryptanalysis | Attacking and breaking those systems to find weaknesses |
| Cryptology | The full discipline encompassing both |
The word "cryptography" comes from the Greek words kryptos (hidden) and graphein (to write) — literally "secret writing."
Tip: Think of it like offense vs. defense — cryptography builds the lock, cryptanalysis tries to pick it.