Cybersecurity threats are evolving faster than ever—especially with the rise of quantum computing and anonymous criminal activity in the dark web. Cryptography stands as our last line of defense. From securing your private messages and cloud data to enabling technologies like zero-trust architectures and cryptocurrencies, encryption is foundational to modern IT security.
In this course, you’ll explore the powerful world of cryptography through a practical, high-level lens—led by a cybersecurity expert with more than 30 years of real-world experience. You’ll dive into case studies involving government systems, law enforcement challenges in tracking dark web actors, and looming risks posed by quantum decryption breakthroughs.
Through real-world case studies and practical exercises, you will:
- Learn how cryptography protects communications, data, and transactions that are crippaling businesses and threatening their existence.
- Explore modern encryption techniques, where they fail, and how to build around those gaps.
- Understand the global risk quantum computing poses to today’s cryptographic systems.
- Analyze how cybercriminals hide in plain sight using encryption on the dark web.
- Develop strategies for applying cryptography in real-world IT security frameworks.
Whether you are an early career professional looking to advance, or an experienced security specialist aiming to stay ahead of emerging threats, this course equips you with the necessary expertise to navigate today’s cybersecurity landscape with confidence.
- New to IT professionals: Entry-level IT professionals will gain a foundational understanding of current cryptography concepts and techniques to support their career development.
- Early career professionals: Advancing IT professionals ready to move into a cybersecurity role will acquire applicable knowledge and skills to support them in future roles.
- Mid-late career cybersecurity professionals: Experienced professionals will gain insights into current trends and advance skills in key areas of interest.
Learn alongside your team!
WatSPEED provides custom learning experiences tailored for large groups from any single organization. Register three or more employees from the same organization and receive 15 per cent off. Contact our team at watspeed@uwaterloo.ca for details.
Learning outcomes
- Describe fundamental concepts, protocols, and technologies in cryptography
- Discuss practical applications of cryptography in securing internet communications and data
- Explain how cryptography underpins blockchain technology and enables secure, decentralized systems using privacy-enhancing cryptographic techniques
- Explore the dynamic landscape of modern cryptography, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead
- Gain insight into the potential threats posed by quantum computing and the imperative need for post-quantum cryptography
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Module 1: Introduction to Cryptography |
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Module 2: Cryptography and Internet Security |
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Module 3: Encryption Algorithms and Protocols |
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Module 4: Cryptography in Blockchain and Currency |
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Module 5: Modern Cryptographic Challenges and Future Trends |
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- Instruction from a cryptography and privacy expert from the industry.
- Live 90-minute instructor-led sessions via Zoom on Wednesdays from 12 - 1:30 p.m. ET followed by optional 30-minute Q&A sessions for additional access to your instructor and peers.
- Weekly quizzes will reinforce your understanding of the material, and a final case study assignment will apply your learning to solve real-world problems.
- Opportunities to receive personalized feedback from your instructor.
- Approximately five hours of online learning and independent work each week (including two hours spent in live sessions and three hours completing individual activities and assignments.
- Attendance requirement: Attendance is required for 80 per cent of weekly live instructor-led sessions. Sessions will be recorded and made available for reference.
Academic requirements
- No specific pre-requisite knowledge is required but an understanding of fundamental IT concepts, including networking, operating systems, and basic programming, is strongly recommended.
Ken Muir
Chief Information Security Officer | Program Author and Instructor
Ken Muir is a globally recognized cybersecurity expert with over 30 years of experience. Beginning his IT and Information Security career in 1993, he developed expertise in viruses, threat intelligence, and security operations: consulting, building and rebuilding security operations centers (SOC), and executive-level advisory roles. Muir is the author of seven published books and is currently working on his eighth.
Muir is also a chief information security officer (CISO); He helps organizations build robust security strategies aligned with NIST CSF, CIS, and ISO 27001 frameworks. His extensive background spans aerospace, energy, retail, finance, manufacturing, and government sectors at provincial, state (US), and national levels. He holds multiple industry certifications, including CISA and CRISC.