To give a brief introduction to Cryptology, it is the practice and study of hiding information. Modern cryptography intersects the disciplines of mathematics, computer science, and engineering. There are many types of modern day applications of cryptography which include ATM cards, computer passwords and electronic commerce. The essence of cryptology is the making and breaking of codes and ciphers.
I have put together 8 challenges which are comprised of 2 parts, A and B.
Part A will include the easier challenges and will usually give hints to Part B which are the harder challenges. Each week I will present a new challenge.
Students and parents can compete against each other or work as a group to decrypt (solve) ciphers (hidden text) that uncover a mystery storyline. The messages are encrypted with very simplistic ciphers and scale accordingly as the challenges progress.
When the cipher is released on our Facebook page each Friday afternoon, you will have one week to solve it. You can email the answer when you have completed the cipher. The faster you complete it the more points you get.
At the end of the December term the winners will be announced.
With school breaking up for the October Golden Week holiday this coming Friday, the competition will begin on Friday 9 October.
Kieren Reynolds, Head of Computing Science