Cryptology vs. Cryptography: Understanding the Distinctions

Written by: University of Tulsa • Nov 21, 2025

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Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that cybercrime will cost the global economy $10.5 trillion in 2025. As a result, protecting their data and networks has become a top priority for all types of organizations, driving significant demand for cybersecurity professionals, including those with specialized expertise in cryptology or cryptography.

Individuals who want to expand their knowledge and skills in the field should consider earning a master’s in cybersecurity, which can help them hone their understanding of cryptology and cryptography and gain the competencies needed to succeed.

What Is Cryptology?

Cryptology derives from the Greek words “kryptos,” meaning hidden, and “logos,” meaning word, and traces its roots to ancient techniques employed to encrypt and conceal messages using ciphers. Today, Britannica defines it as the science of secure communication.

Cryptology encompasses all the ways to create and assess secure communication systems using mathematics, and it serves as the foundation for two subfields: cryptography, which focuses on protecting content, and cryptanalysis, which focuses on analyzing or defeating that protection.

The following examples showcase real-world applications of cryptology:

National intelligence: These professionals use cryptology to ensure important confidential communications are protected. The U.S. Armed Forces also use cryptology to break their adversaries’ messages and codes.
Blockchain: Cryptology secures blockchain transactions through the use of keys and algorithms.
Cybersecurity: Cryptanalysts find cryptographic weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the systems used for online purchases, health records, and other aspects of everyday digital life.

What Is Cryptography?

As a core branch of cryptology, cryptography focuses on securing information through the use of algorithms such as ciphers to ensure that only authorized parties can view stored or transmitted data. Mathematics and computer science deeply influence cryptography, and it plays a critical role in protecting sensitive data, from credit card numbers and personal text messages to classified national security information.

The following examples showcase real-world applications of cryptography:

E-commerce: Cryptography ensures that online transactions are both safe and confidential. It scrambles the data in such a way that attackers cannot access it.
Government communication: In much the same way, cryptography also protects classified messages and other communications between government officials.
Finance: Cryptographic systems protect banking transactions and account information, preventing unauthorized access and fraud.

Differences Between Cryptology and Cryptography

Cryptology and cryptography are closely related disciplines, but they serve distinct purposes in cybersecurity. Cryptology is the broader science that includes both the creation and breaking of secure communication systems. Cryptography is a subfield of cryptology that focuses specifically on keeping information secure through encryption.

Focus Area

Cryptography concentrates on techniques like encryption, decryption, hashing, and key management to keep information safe from unauthorized users. Cryptology encompasses all of those techniques but also includes cryptanalysis techniques, which focus on testing and defeating those communication security systems to improve their performance and resilience.

Goals

Cryptography aims to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of data. A widely used example is the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), an algorithm that protects online transactions. Cryptology supports this same goal, but also proactively identifies weaknesses and vulnerabilities. For example, Allied cryptologists famously cracked the Enigma code, which the Germans used during World War II.

Today, these methods help stop different types of hackers, from lone cybercriminals to state-sponsored actors.

Skills Required

Cryptographers typically need strong skills in computer science, advanced mathematics, and algorithm design. Cryptologists often combine these skills with expertise in problem-solving, analytical thinking, and vulnerability assessment, particularly for cryptanalysis roles.

Careers in Cryptology and Cryptography

A strong foundation in cryptology and cryptography can lead to various cybersecurity roles. There is high demand across industries to fill these roles that often involve defending against different types of cyber threats using encryption, code analysis, and secure network design.

The job outlook for cryptology and cryptography occupations is very strong. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 33% job growth for all information security analyst occupations from 2023 to 2033. This is significantly faster than the 4% average growth projected for all occupations.

Some key roles for individuals with expertise in cryptology and cryptography include:

Penetration Tester

Penetration testers, also known as “ethical hackers,” employ the tools and techniques that cybercriminals use to test secure networks for weak points. These simulated attacks against all aspects of a network or system allow organizations to resolve their vulnerabilities before a data breach occurs.

Median annual salary: approximately $100,710 (Payscale, July 2025)

Cybersecurity Engineer

Cybersecurity engineers work in almost every industry, conducting a wide range of tasks designed to ensure information remains secure. They primarily protect organizations from hacking and other cybercrimes, including by designing and implementing secure networks. Some of a cybersecurity engineer’s responsibilities include network maintenance, information technology (IT) system security, and penetration testing.

Median annual salary: approximately $104,280 (Payscale, July 2025)

Security Architect

Security architects combine their IT and cybersecurity skills to build and protect an organization’s systems and data. Their primary responsibilities include evaluating hardware and software, conducting tests or audits to find potential vulnerabilities, and developing security standards. They may also perform some coding and encryption, conduct research on the latest trends in cybersecurity, and train new IT staff on network security protocols.

Median annual salary: approximately $147,060 (Payscale, July 2025)

Protect Confidential Data as a Cybersecurity Professional

If you want to protect important data, the online Master of Science in Cyber Security program from The University of Tulsa can help you turn that interest into a high-impact career.

Through hands-on courses in areas such as system security and cryptography, defensive cybersecurity technologies, and network security concepts and applications, you can build the skills you need to defend digital infrastructure across industries.

Whether your goal is securing sensitive health records, safeguarding e-commerce systems, or protecting national security, learn more about how you can move forward in your cybersecurity career with a master’s degree from TU.

Recommended Readings

Do You Need a Degree for a Cybersecurity Career?

Is a Master’s in Cybersecurity Worth It?

Is Cybersecurity in Demand? 8 Reasons Demand Keeps Rising

Sources:

Britannica, Cryptology

Cybercrime Magazine, “Cybercrime to Cost the World $12.2 Trillion Annually by 2031”

GeeksforGeeks, “Difference Between Cryptography and Cryptology”

IBM, “What Is Cryptography?”

IBM, “What Is Penetration Testing?”

Indeed, “What Does a Security Architect Do? (Definition Plus Tips)”

Indeed, “What Is a Cybersecurity Engineer? (Plus How to Become One”