Cryptography Basics Questions

Conceptual understanding of cryptographic primitives and their correct use in systems. Candidates should understand symmetric encryption and block ciphers, asymmetric encryption and public key pairs, cryptographic hash functions, message authentication mechanisms, digital signatures, and basic key exchange ideas. They should be able to explain appropriate use cases for each primitive, describe high level key management concerns such as secure storage and rotation, discuss the importance of secure random numbers, and articulate why using well tested libraries and standard protocols is critical.