Cryptography secures information by transforming it into an unreadable format, ensuring data confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity. It involves mathematical algorithms and protocols that encrypt and decrypt data. The two main types of cryptography are symmetric-key and asymmetric-key. In symmetric-key cryptography, the same key is used for both encryption and decryption, requiring secure key exchange between parties. Asymmetric-key cryptography, also known as public-key cryptography, uses a pair of keys – a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. This method enhances security by allowing public keys to be shared openly while keeping private keys confidential. Cryptographic techniques also include hashing, which converts data into a fixed-length string, making it difficult to reverse-engineer. Cryptography is essential for securing communications, protecting sensitive information, and ensuring the authenticity of digital transactions in various applications, from online banking to secure messaging.

Artificial intelligence (AI) significantly enhances modern cybersecurity systems by automating threat detection, improving response times, and reducing the reliance on human intervention. AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns and anomalies indicative of potential threats. Machine learning models can predict and prevent cyber-attacks by learning from historical data. AI-powered systems also support real-time monitoring and automatic response to threats, minimizing the impact of security breaches. Additionally, AI helps in identifying vulnerabilities and strengthening security protocols, making cybersecurity systems more robust and adaptive to evolving threats.