Codebreaker by Stephen Pincock

I just published my 4-star review for Codebreaker by Stephen Pincock at Amazon.ca.

This book provides a brief introduction to the history of cryptography. It starts from the Ceaser shift cipher and ends with quantum cryptography. It is a fun and informative read if you are interested in an overview of the history of cryptography.

From the Ceaser shift cipher to quantum cryptography, it has been a continuous race between cryptographers and cryptanalysts. While the cryptographers are basically trying to come up with an unbreakable code, the cryptanalysts is trying to break what the cryptographers came up with. Although the quantum cryptography looks promising with regards to the level of complexities the cryptanalysts need to deal with to break, it has a limit of 100 kilometers for distributing the quantum keys. We should also never forget the weakest link in the chain: the human factor. The cryptographers can invent good methodologies to hide the secret messages away from the curious eyes but they would always rely on the trusting two communicating parties. It is also interesting to note that the quantum computing could be threatening the future of the current asymmetric encryption algorithms.

The criminals are also using the current cryptographic techniques to hide their secrets. It is a challenge for the law enforcement. The book also shows that how the cryptography had a major impact on the history (e.g. enigma and bombe, the 97-shiki oobun Inji-ki-and purple machine). I am hoping to visit the Bletchley Park one day.