Which of the following is the process of finding weaknesses in cryptographic algorithms and obtaining the plaintext or key from the ciphertext?

Cryptanalysis is the science of analyzing and breaking secure communication systems. It involves studying cryptographic algorithms to identify weaknesses, with the ultimate goal of defeating their security properties. This includes methods for obtaining the secret key or recovering the original plaintext from the encrypted ciphertext without having prior access to the key. Cryptanalysis is the counterpart to cryptography, which is the science of creating secure systems. The process described in the question is the exact definition of cryptanalysis.

A. Kerberos is a network authentication protocol that uses a trusted third-party to verify user identities; it is not a process for breaking cryptography.
B. Cryptography is the practice of creating and using techniques for secure communication, which is the opposite of breaking them.
C. A cryptographer is a person who studies or practices cryptography; it is a role, not a process.

1. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2020). Recommendation for Key Management: Part 1 – General (NIST Special Publication 800-57 Part 1

Revision 5). U.S. Department of Commerce. In Appendix A

Glossary

Cryptanalysis is defined as: "The study of mathematical techniques for attempting to defeat cryptographic techniques and

more generally

information security services." (p. 66).

2. Rivest

R. L. (2012). 6.857 Computer and Network Security

Lecture 1: Introduction

Course Overview

Threat Models

Classic Ciphers. MIT OpenCourseWare. The lecture notes distinguish between Cryptography ("making codes") and Cryptanalysis ("breaking codes").

3. Stallings

W. (2017). Cryptography and Network Security: Principles and Practice (7th ed.). Pearson. In Chapter 1

Section 1.1

the text defines cryptanalysis as the techniques used for deciphering a message without any knowledge of the deciphering details

and cryptography as the art and science of making ciphers. (p. 2-3).

4. Neuman

C.

Yu

T.

Hartman

S.

& Raeburn

K. (2005). The Kerberos Network Authentication Service (V5) (RFC 4120). Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). Section 1

"Introduction

" describes Kerberos as a "trusted third-party authentication service

" confirming it is a protocol

not a method of analysis. (p. 5).