The Secret History of Cryptography: From World War II to Your Data Today
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THE encryption, the art of protecting information, has transformed over the centuries from a secretive military tool to a pillar of modern digital security.
This evolution, often shrouded in mystery, has shaped wars, driven scientific advancements, and today protects your messages and transactions online.
But how did this technology make its way from rudimentary paper-based codes to complex mathematical algorithms? Let's unravel this fascinating story.
Cryptography in World War II: A Watershed
At the height of World War II, cryptography became essential in deciding the fate of battles and alliances.
The emblematic case of the Enigma machine, used by Nazi Germany, is a milestone.
Developed to encrypt military messages, Enigma seemed inviolable until Alan Turing and his team at Bletchley Park in the UK created a revolutionary device capable of deciphering it.
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In addition to its direct impact on the battlefield, breaking the Enigma code brought significant advances in computer science.
Turing's work was a precursor to the development of the machines we know today as computers.
This legacy also highlighted the importance of investing in cryptographic research, something that remains relevant in both government and private contexts.
Interestingly, cryptography during wartime was not only used for military offense and defense.
Secure messaging systems have also played a crucial role in diplomatic strategies.
Negotiations between allies and resistance operations in occupied territories depended on the confidentiality offered by rudimentary encryption techniques.
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The transition from war to the corporate world
With the end of the war, the use of cryptographic techniques migrated to the corporate sector.
Banks and multinational corporations have begun adopting basic encryption systems to protect financial transactions and internal communications.
This transition marked the beginning of the era of digital security applied to the market.
In the 1970s, the creation of the RSA algorithm brought an innovation: asymmetric encryption.
Unlike previous techniques, which relied on a single key, RSA used a pair of keys — one public and one private — ensuring greater security.
This technology soon became standard in protocols like HTTPS, used to protect website data.
This advance did not occur without resistance.
Many governments have tried to limit the commercialization of sophisticated cryptographic systems, citing national security concerns.
However, the growing demand for privacy in financial and commercial transactions has put pressure on regulations, making modern algorithms widely accessible.
Today, cryptography has transcended the boundaries of banking and business.
Innovative solutions have emerged in areas such as telecommunications and healthcare, ensuring that sensitive information is protected from leaks and cyberattacks.
The digital age and modern cryptography
With the popularization of the internet in the 1990s, encryption became essential to protect a growing volume of data.
Emails, passwords, financial transactions, and even app messages are now protected by advanced algorithms.
The development of the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) in 2001 established a new security benchmark, replacing DES, which already had vulnerabilities.
A striking example is the use of the HTTPS protocol, which encrypts communications between browsers and servers.
This technology has brought greater confidence to e-commerce, helping to popularize online shopping.
Additionally, disk encryption and communication tools began to become part of everyday life, even for those who did not understand the mechanisms behind them.
Surprisingly, modern cryptography has also expanded its presence in devices we use every day, such as smartphones and smartwatches.
These devices use security techniques to protect everything from biometric data to interactions with virtual assistants.
This integration is a direct reflection of the exponential growth of sensitive data shared in the digital age.
Challenges and ethical dilemmas of cryptography
The application of cryptography goes far beyond individual security.
It is a central element in debates about privacy, surveillance and freedom of expression.
For example, end-to-end encryption (E2EE) used by apps like WhatsApp and Signal is the target of criticism from governments who claim it makes it difficult to combat digital crime and terrorism.
On the other hand, privacy advocates argue that weakening encryption would create loopholes that could be exploited by hackers and authoritarian governments, compromising the security of millions of users.
In 2020, a study by Carnegie Mellon University highlighted that inadequate regulations in the area of cryptography could cause more harm than good, exposing ordinary citizens to unnecessary risks.
Another ethical dilemma arises with the advancement of quantum computing.
As these machines become viable, traditional cryptographic algorithms may become obsolete.
Research into post-quantum cryptography is already underway, but time to adapt will be crucial to avoid vulnerabilities in critical systems such as financial networks and defense infrastructure.
See also: How blockchain technology is being used beyond cryptocurrencies
Impacts on everyday life: how is your data protected?
Today, every online action—from sending a message to making a digital payment—relies on encryption.
However, few realize that security goes beyond applications.
Banking systems, IoT (Internet of Things) and even autonomous vehicles use cryptographic technologies to operate reliably.
A notable example is Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, which use blockchain, a cryptography-based technology to ensure transparency and security in transactions.
This decentralized model presents a major advancement, but also unique challenges, such as energy consumption and the risk of attacks on smaller networks.
Additionally, encryption is critical to protecting privacy in medical systems.
Electronic medical records and diagnoses shared across hospital networks are protected by robust security layers, ensuring patient confidentiality.
This advancement helps promote trust in digital healthcare services.
The future: a race against time
The evolution of cryptography reflects a paradox: while it protects us, it also encourages adversaries to seek ways to overcome it.
Hackers, governments, and corporations compete in a game of cat and mouse.
Innovations such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing promise to completely transform digital security in the coming years.
Therefore, understanding the history and evolution of cryptography is not only fascinating—it is essential to understanding the challenges of the future.
Ultimately, cryptography's ability to adapt to threats will determine its relevance in the coming decades.
Its journey, which began as a tool of war, now shapes the security of our digital world.
