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7.5.1.1 Lab - Exploring Encryption Methods

This document describes a lab exploring encryption methods using the Vigenère cipher. The objectives are to decipher a pre-encrypted message using the cipher and key, and to encrypt and decrypt messages with a partner using a shared key. Background on the Vigenère cipher is provided. Steps guide decrypting a sample message and encrypting/decrypting messages with a partner.

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1K views

7.5.1.1 Lab - Exploring Encryption Methods

This document describes a lab exploring encryption methods using the Vigenère cipher. The objectives are to decipher a pre-encrypted message using the cipher and key, and to encrypt and decrypt messages with a partner using a shared key. Background on the Vigenère cipher is provided. Steps guide decrypting a sample message and encrypting/decrypting messages with a partner.

Uploaded by

James
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CCNA Security

Lab - Exploring Encryption Methods


Objectives
Part 1: Decipher a Pre-encrypted Message Using the Vigenre Cipher

Use an encrypted message, a cipher key, and the Vigenre cipher square to decipher the message.

Part 2: Create a Vigenre Cipher Encrypted Message and Decrypt It

Work with a lab partner and agree on a secret password.

Create a secret message using the Vigenre cipher and the key.

Exchange messages and decipher them using the pre-shared key.

Use an interactive Vigenre decoding tool to verify decryption.

Background
The Cisco IOS password encryption service uses a Cisco-proprietary algorithm that is based on the Vigenre
cipher. Vigenre is an example of a common type of cipher mechanism called polyalphabetic substitution.
Although not a strong encryption technique, Vigenre serves to illustrate a commonly used encryption and
decryption process.
Note: Students can work in teams of two for this lab.

Required Resources
End user device with Internet access

Part 1: Decipher a Pre-encrypted Message Using the Vigenre Cipher


In Part 1, you analyze an encrypted message and decrypt it using a cipher key and the Vigenre cipher
square.

Step 1: Review the encrypted message.


The following message has been encrypted using the Vigenre cipher:
VECIHXEJZXMA

Step 2: Review the cipher keyword.


The cipher keyword TCPIP was used to encrypt the message. The same keyword will be used to decrypt or
decipher the message.

Step 3: Review the structure of the Vigenre square.


A standard Vigenre square or table is used with the keyword to decipher the message.

2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public.

Page 1 of 5

Lab - Exploring Encryption Methods

Step 4: Decrypt the message using the keyword and Vigenre square.
a. Use the table below to help you decrypt the message. Start by entering the letters of the encrypted
message in the second row of cells, from left to right.
b. Enter the keyword TCPIP in the top row, repeating the letters until there is a keyword letter for each letter
of the encrypted message, even if the keyword letters at the end do not represent the complete keyword.
c.

Refer to the Vigenre square or table shown in Step 3 and find the horizontal row that starts with the first
letter of the keyword (the letter T). Scan across that row and locate the first letter of the encrypted
message in the row (the letter V). The letter at the top of the column where the encrypted message letter
appears is the first letter of the decrypted message (the letter C).

d. Continue this process until you have decrypted the entire message and enter it in the following table.

2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public.

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Lab - Exploring Encryption Methods

Cipher
Keyword

Encrypted
Message

Decrypted
Message

Part 2: Create a Vigenre Cipher Encrypted Message and Decrypt It


In Part 2, work with a lab partner and agree on a secret password, referred to as the pre-shared key. Each lab
partner creates a secret message using the Vigenre cipher and the key. Partners exchange messages and
decipher them using their pre-shared key.
Note: If you do not have a partner, you can perform the steps by yourself.

Step 1: Determine the cipher keyword.


With your partner, establish a cipher keyword and enter it here.
abc

Step 2: Create a plain text message and encrypt it (both partners).


a. Create a plain text (decrypted) message to be encrypted by your partner.
yolo swag

b. You can use the following table to help you encrypt the message. You can enter the unencrypted
message and cipher keyword here, but do not let your partner see it.
c.

In the Vigenre table, locate the row that starts with the first letter of the cipher keyword. Next locate the
first letter to be encrypted at the top of the column in the table. The point (cell) at which the table row (key
letter) and column (message letter) intersect is the first letter of the encrypted message. Continue this
process until you have encrypted the entire message.
Note: This table is limited to messages of 12 characters. You can create longer messages if desired.
Message encryption and decryption is not case-sensitive.

2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public.

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Lab - Exploring Encryption Methods

Cipher
Keyword

Encrypted
Message

Decrypted
Message

Step 3: Decrypt the message from your partner.


a. You can use the following table to help you decrypt your partners encrypted message. Enter the
encrypted message from your partner and the cipher keyword.
b. Use the same procedure described in Part 1, Step 4.
Note: This table is limited to messages of 12 characters. You can create longer messages if desired.
Cipher
Keyword
Encrypted
Message
Decrypted
Message

Step 4: Use an interactive decryption tool to confirm decryption.


a. An Internet search for Vigenre decode shows that various cipher encryption and decryption tools are
available. Many of these are interactive.
b. One interactive tool is located at http://sharkysoft.com/vigenere/1.0/. At this site, enter the encrypted
message from your partner in the top part of the screen and the cipher key in the middle. Click Decode to
see the clear text version of the message. You can also use this tool to encrypt messages.
c.

The following example shows using Sharkys Vigenre Cipher tool for decoding the encrypted message
from Part 1.

2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public.

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Lab - Exploring Encryption Methods

Reflection
1. Could the Vigenre cipher be used to decode messages in the field without a computer?
Yes. The reciever needs to only have a copy of the encrypted message, the cipher keyword, and a copy of
the Vigenere square.

2. Search the Internet for Vigenre cipher cracking tools. Is the Vigenre cipher considered a strong encryption
system that is difficult to crack?
No, its not considered diffucult to crack.

2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public.

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