Starting with the historical facts behind the concept of information, which led to the creation of computer networks, Internet of things and cryptocurrencies, the book then arrives at the main definitions of cryptography and network security, the protocols that keep the systems running and the cybercrimes that could disrupt the systems. The basics of information theory, how to measure information, and the information associated with a source are discussed. Source codes are presented, along with the concepts of information transmission, joint information, conditional entropy, mutual information and channel capacity. Computer networks are discussed, including the main protocols and network architectures, and the important TCP/IP protocol. Network security, a topic intrinsically connected to computer networks and the Internet, is presented, along with information about basic hacker attacks, alternatives to prevent attacks, data protection and secure protocols. The information theoretical aspects of cryptography are described including the hash function. Appendices include a review of probability theory, a discussion of cryptoalgorithms and cryptosystems, and a glossary of information security terms. Illustrations and graphics help the reader understand the theory.
Marcelo Sampaio de Alencar received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, from Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Brazil, 1980, his master's degree in electrical engineering, from Universidade Federal da Paraiba (UFPB), Brazil, 1988 and his Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo, Canada, 1994. He worked for the Departmentof Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), for the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), for the State University of Santa Catarina (UDESC), and for the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA). He was visiting professor at the University of Toronto, and is now visiting professor at the Senai Cimatec, Salvador, Brasil. He is founder and President of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Communications (Iecom). He has been awarded several scholarships and grants, from the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Research (CNPq), from the IEEE Foundation, from the University of Waterloo, and from the Federal University of Paraiba. He received an achievement award from the Brazilian Telecommunications Society (SBrT), an award from the Medicine College of the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), and an achievement award from the College of Engineering of the Federal University of Pernambuco. He published over 500 engineering and scientific papers and 26 books. He also wrote chapters for 12 books. He served on the Board of Directors of SBrT and on the SBMO Council. He is a Registered Professional Engineer, and he was a columnist for the traditional Brazilian newspaper Jornal do Commercio. Marcelo S. Alencar is a laureate of the prestigious 2014 Attilio Giarola Medal, of the Brazilian Microwave and Optoelectronics Society (SBMO).
