British intelligence service has released an application for learning the basics of cryptography

The UK Government Communications Center (Government Communications Headquarters, GCHQ - is engaged in conducting electronic intelligence and providing information security in the government and the army) published on Google Play the Crypto application, designed to teach the basics of cryptography in an interactive mode and has advanced social capabilities. The target audience are high school students and their teachers who are interested in ciphers and background (it was also developed by students). The application is currently available only for tablets: the release version for smartphones and for iOS is scheduled for next year.

The general scheme of work is that the user can choose one of the four encryption methods, enter some message and interactively encrypt it as clearly as possible in order to share it with his friends on social networks. They, in turn, may try to read the secret message.

Four encryption methods are available for selection:

• Caesar cipher (Shift)
• Substitution Cipher
• Vigenere cipher (Vigenère)
• Enigma code (Enigma)

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The interface of the latter is shown in the image below:



For those who are absolutely not familiar with the subject, on the start screen provides a brief historical background, as well as a small mathematical justification for the selected encryption method.

In general, the application does not pursue any serious intentions (it does not even require special permissions during installation), such as the search for young talents in the special service. It is intended for educational purposes: GCHQ Director Robert Hannigan notes that "... the mathematical and computer skills of the younger generation are the basis for the cybersecurity of the state ..." and hopes to encourage young people to further dive into the topic of secrecy.