How would you explain cryptography to someone who hasn't heard of it?

"Cryptography is the practice of ensuring that data transmitted across a network is secure. Threats to the security of any data can come from both internal and external sources. Common practices used to secure data all involve encryption of the information. The sender encrypts the data, which is then decrypted by the authorized recipient, using both off-the-shelf and customized software tools. While I don't know the exact methods that the NSA uses in the cryptography efforts, I'd sure be excited to learn if hired for this role."

Here is a collection of excerpts from their website that summarize in layman's terms what cryptology is, and the role it plays in current operations of the NSA. "Cryptology is the art and science of making and breaking codes and ciphers. NSA is responsible for creating the systems that protect U.S. communications and for analyzing systems and communications used by foreign powers. Making a code or cipher system is called cryptography. Those who try to "break" a cryptosystem are practicing cryptanalysis."

Here are some additional historical facts from the NSA's website on the history of cryptology in the USA: "Code making and code breaking have influenced America's history. During the Civil War, both Union and Confederate soldiers sent encrypted messages and intercepted enemy communications. In 1917, the British decryption of the Zimmermann Telegram helped push the United States into World War I. Intelligence derived by solving many Japanese and German systems gave Allied forces an edge in many World War II battles, on land and at sea, arguably shortening the war and saving countless lives.

Protecting U.S. communications was likewise as important to the Allied victory in WWII as reading the enemy's messages. The Marine Corps and Army trained Native Americans in radio communications. They used their own languages and code words to confuse enemy soldiers who may have been listening. The Army and Navy also used the SIGABA, an extremely complex cipher machine, to encrypt messages. The enemy never broke the Navajo code talkers or the SIGABA code, giving the United States a clear advantage. The Cold War saw cryptology foster the development of new communications and computer technology. Today's supercomputers, encrypted cell phones, and verification systems owe some of their development to work done for the NSA/CSS."

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