Build a sound understanding of modern cryptography with Python.
Classical Cryptography & PQC - Practical Code
Applied Modern Cryptography Using Python 3 takes you from core security concepts to the cryptographic features used in applications. Starting with keys, randomness, and threat models, explore authenticated encryption, public-key cryptography, digital signatures, key exchange, hashing, and message authentication.
A dedicated post-quantum cryptography (PQC) chapter introduces NIST's ML-KEM key-encapsulation standard (FIPS 203), ML-DSA digital signatures (FIPS 204), and SLH-DSA hash-based signatures (FIPS 205). It demonstrates an ML-KEM shared-secret exchange and discusses provider support, interoperability, and migration trade-offs.
Other chapters apply cryptographic ideas to encrypted files, certificates, tokens, secure network protocols, Merkle trees, blockchain, and homomorphic encryption. Examples use Python 3.12+ and established libraries, with explanations of assumptions, limitations, and security trade-offs.
Learn why nonce management matters, how to verify certificates and signed tokens, where library and platform support can differ, and why secure design includes key storage and operational controls. Written for Python programmers who are new to cryptography, this book combines guided explanations, focused code listings, and runnable demonstrations to help you make informed security decisions.
