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Definition
A cryptosystem (or cipher system) is a system consisting of an encryption algorithm, a decryption algorithm, and a well-defined triple of text spaces: plaintexts, ciphertexts, and keytexts.
Applications
For a given key text, the encryption algorithm will map a plaintext to a (usually uniquely determined) ciphertext. For the corresponding keytext, the decryption algorithm will map the ciphertext to the (usually uniquely determined) plaintext. The cryptosystem may be performed by hand methods (“hand cipher”), machine methods (“machine cipher”), or software (Shannon’s Model).
Plaintext: It is a text in an open language that is commonly understood among a larger group of people.
Ciphertext: It is a text (“cryptogram”) in a secret language that is understood only by few, authorized people, usually after decryption by hand machine, or software.
Two special properties are mentioned: an endomorphic cryptosystemis a...
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Recommended Reading
Bauer FL (1997) Decrypted secrets. In: Methods and maxims of cryptology. Springer, Berlin
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© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
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Bauer, F.L. (2011). Cryptosystem. In: van Tilborg, H.C.A., Jajodia, S. (eds) Encyclopedia of Cryptography and Security. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-5906-5_167
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-5906-5_167
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