6G7V0033 Cryptography and Applications Individual Assignment | MMU

Learning outcomes being assessed:

LO1 Explain the mathematical computations underpinning cryptographic algorithms.
LO2 Critically analyse basic cryptographic algorithms and propose appropriate uses for them. LO3 Explain use of cryptography in authentication protocols and other emerging applications. LO4 Code and modify algorithms to perform specific encryption/cryptographic tasks.
LO5 Apply a wide range of transferable skills and attributes applicable to industry and research.

Note: it is your responsibility to make sure that your work is complete and available for marking by the deadline. Make sure that you have followed the submission instructions carefully, and your work is submitted in the correct format, using the correct hand-in mechanism (e.g., Moodle upload). If submitting via Moodle, you are advised to check your work after upload, to make sure it has uploaded properly. If submitting via OneDrive, ensure that your tutors have access to the work. Do not alter your  work after the deadline. You should make at least one full backup copy of your work.

Penalties for late submission

The timeliness of submissions is strictly monitored and enforced.

All coursework has a late submission window of 7 calendar days, but any work submitted within the late window will be capped at 50%, unless you have an agreed extension. Work submitted after the 7-day late window will be capped at zero unless you have an agreed extension. See ‘Assessment Mitigation’ below for further information on extensions.
Please note that individual tutors are unable to grant any extensions to assessments.

Assessment Mitigation

If there is a valid reason why you are unable to submit your assessment by the deadline you may apply for Assessment Mitigation. There are two types of mitigation you can apply for via the module area on Moodle (in the ‘Assessments’ block on the right-hand side of the page):

• Non-evidenced extension: does not require you to submit evidence. It allows you to add a short extension to a deadline. This is not available for event-based assessments such as in-class tests, presentations, interviews, etc. You can apply for this extension during the assessment weeks, and the request must be made before the submission deadline. For this assessment, the non-evidenced extension is 2 days.
• Evidenced extension: requires you to provide independent evidence of a situation which has impacted you. Allows you to apply for a longer extension and is available for event-based assessment such as in-class test, presentations, interviews, etc. For event-based assessments, the normal outcome is that the assessment will be deferred to the summer reassessment period.

Further information about Assessment Mitigation is available on the dedicated Assessments page.

Use of generative AI

Permitted – with changes

The use of generative AI is permitted in this assessment, but please make sure you follow these specific instructions:

We recommend working to the two main principles:

1.Your work should always authentically represent your capabilities.
2.You should never trust the outputs of Generative AI uncritically. Specifically, when it comes to this assessment:

Permitted Uses of Generative AI:

For Task 1 (Algorithm Description and Applications)

• You may use AI tools to help clarify complex mathematical principles underlying cryptographic algorithms. Always verify the accuracy of these explanations with academic sources.
• You can use AI to find the suggestions for real-world applications of cryptographic algorithms. However, ensure that you cross-check and expand these ideas with academic sources.

For Task 2 (Cryptographic Implementation)

• You can use AI for suggesting frameworks and libraries to implement encryption. Use it as a guide but develop the code independently, ensuring you understand each part of the implementation.
• You may use AI to generate code templates for basic encryption tasks, but you are required to modify, annotate, and fully understand all generated code. The final implementation must be your own, and you must clearly explain any adaptations.

For Task 3 (Video Presentation)

• You can use AI to help script parts of your video explanation, such as summarising technical concepts or structuring the video presentation, but ensure your script reflects your own understanding.

Prohibited Uses of Generative AI:

For Task 1 (Algorithm Description and Applications)

• You must not use AI to generate the entire description of the cryptographic algorithm. It is important that your explanation of the algorithm reflects your understanding of the subject matter, particularly in how you describe its mathematical foundation.

For Task 2 (Cryptographic Implementation)

• You must not submit AI-generated code without significant modification and understanding. Any code taken from AI-generated output must be clearly labelled and explained in the context of your overall implementation.

For Task 3 (Video Presentation)

• You may not use AI to generate the script for the entire presentation or for speaking notes during the video recording. The presentation must demonstrate your ability to communicate and explain cryptographic concepts clearly, which requires your own voice and understanding.
• AI-generated voices or avatars are not allowed. The video must be created and presented by you, with no use of AI-generated visual or audio content.

For any other uses of generative AI, you should also follow the instructions in the ‘Are you allowed to use AI in assessments?’ section of the AI Literacy Rise Study Pack or speak to your tutor. All submitted work must be your own original content.

If you are unable to upload your work to Moodle

If you have problems submitting your work through Moodle, you can send your work to the Assessment Management Team using the Contingency Submission Form. Assessment Management will then forward your work to the appropriate person for marking. If you use this submission method, your work must be sent before the published deadline, or it will be logged as a late submission. Alternatively, you can save your work into a single zip folder then upload the zip folder to your university OneDrive and submit a Word document to Moodle which includes a link to the folder. It is your responsibility to make sure you  share the OneDrive folder with the Module Leader, or it will not be possible to mark your work.

Assessment Regulations

For further information see the Postgraduate Assessment Regulations on the Assessments and Results  information pages

6G7V0033 Assignment

The assignment consists of the following tasks.

Task 1 - Algorithm Description and Applications [40 marks]

The first task is related to exploring the theoretical aspects of modern cryptographic algorithms. You will need to understand the mathematical underpinning of the algorithms and the considerations that influenced their designs.
You must choose a cryptographic algorithm from several possible topics. You will then need to explain the inner workings of the algorithm.

Note: You can choose your algorithm from one of two categories:

1.Simple (algorithms covered completely in the module)
2.Complex (algorithms briefly/not covered in the module)

A choice from the Simple category will limit the possible marks available for the report, as indicated in the marking scheme below.

Provide specific scenarios in which your chosen algorithm can be used. Support your use-case with existing uses in real-world applications where possible, for example including authentication protocols and other emerging applications.

Task 2 – Cryptographic Implementation [40 marks]

For this task, you will be exploring solutions to the problem of secure storage of data. You will need to implement data encryption along with a suitable key management (secure way to share key) architecture in software. The task is to produce the encrypted backup of files and folders. At the very minimum, the implementation must be able to encrypt/decrypt files using separate keys for two different users.
Note: You can use any algorithm of your choice, it’s not mandatory to use the same algorithm as in Task 1. You are required to include suitable comments in the code.

Further marks will be awarded based on how well the submitted implementation expands on this single requirement. Possible extensions include:

• Inclusion of mechanisms to protect integrity as well as confidentiality
• Use of asymmetric encryption/digital signatures
• Good key management practices
• Implementation of novel cryptographic algorithms (beyond what was explicitly covered in the module)

Task 3 – Video Presentation [20 marks]

You must record a 10–15-minute video. In this video, apart from the explanations of Task 1 and Task 2, you must:

• Strictly adhere to the time duration.
• Use a camera with good resolution, with proper lightening and uncluttered background.
• Speak clearly with appropriate volume and record in a quiet environment to minimize background noise.
• Maintain eye contact with camera.
• Make clear explanation of the tasks.

Details for Video Submission

For the submission of Task 1 and Task 2, the following instructions must be considered.

• Explain the introduction, mathematical computations underpinning cryptographic algorithms and the applications using the PowerPoint slides.
• Demonstrate the working (perform encryption and decryption) of your implementation by sharing the screen recording.
• Briefly explain how the cryptographic algorithms are used in your implementation.
• You must make explicitly clear how much and which parts of your source code are original and which are taken from/derived from other sources.
• You must have extensive comments throughout your source code to explain how it works.

Support

The teaching team is available to support your work on this assignment. Support can be obtained in the timetabled lab sessions. Outside of timetabled lab sessions, you can also contact the teaching team for additional support (contact details are available on the module Moodle page).

Feedback

Formative feedback will be provided verbally during the assignment support labs. This formative feedback will help you to prepare your own version of these tasks for the summative assignment. Individual summative feedback (incl. the marks) will be uploaded via a comments/marking sheet on Moodle. General feedback given to all students on Moodle.

6G7V0033 Detailed Marking Scheme