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CY-503 (C) · Data Security/Important Questions

Data Security (CY-503 (C)) - Important Questions

  1. Unit 17 Marks High Priority Asked: 2022, 2023

    Explain in detail cipher block modes of operation with merits and demerits.

    Core cryptographic building block; repeatedly asked in past papers (cipher block modes are a staple topic).

  2. Unit 37 Marks High Priority Asked: 2022, 2023, 2024

    Explain the working of the Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) protocol and its use in securing email communication.

    Direct repeat across multiple years asking PGP message format and its role in email security.

  3. Unit 17 Marks High Priority Asked: 2022, 2023, 2024

    Explain HMAC algorithm in detail.

    Message authentication / integrity topic frequently examined (HMAC / MAC).

  4. Unit 17 Marks Medium Priority Asked: 2022, 2024

    Discuss RC4 encryption algorithm. Considering a 5-bit RC4 key, generate the first 3 bytes of any pseudo-random key stream.

    Stream cipher fundamentals; RC4 specifically appears multiple times and often with keystream-generation tasks.

  5. Unit 17 Marks Medium Priority Asked: 2022, 2023

    Differentiate between block and stream ciphers

    Basic comparison frequently asked to test understanding of cipher classes.

  6. Unit 27 Marks Medium Priority Asked: 2023

    Summarize the public key cryptographic principles. Explain RSA algorithm for given example, where $p=3$ and $q=11$.

    Standard RSA example question assessing key generation and encryption/decryption steps.

  7. Unit 17 Marks Medium Priority Asked: 2024

    Give the ciphertext 'ZICVTWQNGRZGVTWAVZHCQYGLMGJ'; decrypt it using the Caesar cipher with a shift of 17. Show each step clearly.

    Classical cipher decryption problem — typical short numerical/step problem in past papers.

  8. Unit 17 Marks Medium Priority Asked: 2023

    Explain with an example how encryption and decryption is performed in AES?

    Block cipher practical understanding; AES operations and example are directly asked.

  9. Unit 17 Marks Medium Priority Asked: 2023

    Describe the steps to find the message digest using SHA-512 algorithm. What is the order of finding the messages which have the same message digest?

    Hash function internals and collision-order discussion; SHA-512 specifically appears in past papers.

  10. Unit 27 Marks Medium Priority Asked: 2024

    Outline the SSL Handshake Protocol and explain each step in establishing a secure connection between client and server.

    Standard web-security protocol question — SSL handshake steps are a regular exam topic.

  11. Unit 27 Marks Medium Priority Asked: 2024

    Differentiate between SSL Connection and SSL session. How do these concepts contribute to securing web traffic?

    Clarifies session vs connection semantics in SSL — commonly asked to test protocol-level understanding.

  12. Unit 214 Marks Medium Priority Asked: 2022, 2024

    Explain in detail about Secure Electronic Transaction with suitable example.

    Long-form treatment of online payment security; SET has been asked in both 14- and 7-mark formats.

  13. Unit 37 Marks Medium Priority Asked: 2022, 2024

    What is VPN? Write about the different types of VPN's.

    VPN fundamentals and classification — repeated across papers and short-notes sections.

  14. Unit 37 Marks High Priority Asked: 2022, 2023, 2024

    Describe the difference between Host-based IDS and Network-based IDS.

    Intrusion detection comparison is a recurring question (host vs network IDS).

  15. Unit 37 Marks High Priority Asked: 2022, 2023, 2024

    List the types of firewalls and explain their operational differences with examples.

    Firewall taxonomy and operational differences are repeatedly examined across years.

  16. Unit 57 Marks Medium Priority Asked: 2023, 2024

    Malicious software (malware) can infiltrate a network in various ways. Describe different types of malicious software and explain how IDS and firewalls can help safeguard against them.

    Malware types and defence mechanisms (IDS/firewall) are common practical security questions.

  17. Unit 47 Marks Medium Priority Asked: 2023, 2024

    Explain WAP security mechanisms, specifically focusing on WTLS. How does it help to secure wireless communications?

    Wireless application security (WAP/WTLS) is a repeated topic that tests mobile/wireless protocol knowledge.

  18. Unit 47 Marks Medium Priority Asked: 2022, 2024

    Discuss the security challenges associated with Wireless LANs.

    WLAN security and challenges are regularly examined in network security papers.

  19. Unit 37 Marks Medium Priority Asked: 2023

    Explain the transport and Tunnel model operations for AH in IP Security.

    IPsec transport/tunnel modes for AH and ESP appear separately in past papers; both are core IPSec concepts.

  20. Unit 37 Marks Medium Priority Asked: 2022

    Explain the transport and tunnel mode of operation for ESP in IP Security.

    Complementary to the AH question — ESP transport and tunnel modes were also specifically asked.

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