Basic Components of Modern Cryptography

  • Article

Modern electronic cryptosystems use complex mathematical algorithms and other techniques and mechanisms to provide network and information security. Cryptography-based security technologies commonly use one or more of the following basic components to provide security functions:

  • Encryption algorithms

  • Message digest functions

  • Hashed Message Authentication Code (HMAC) functions

  • Secret key exchange algorithms

  • Digital signatures

Windows 2000 distributed security technologies use these components of cryptology for a variety of security functions. For more information about how these components are used with security technologies in Windows 2000, see the appropriate sections of the following publications:

  • Microsoft ® Windows ®  2000 Professional Resource Kit

  • Microsoft ® Windows ®  2000 Server Resource Kit

  • Windows 2000 Server Help

  • Microsoft ® Platform Software Development Kit