What does cryptography encompass?

Cryptography encompasses the science and art of secure message delivery because it involves techniques and methods for protecting information by transforming it into a secure format. This transformation ensures that only authorized parties can access and understand the information, preserving confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity. It includes various practices such as encryption, decryption, and the use of cryptographic keys to safeguard the communication between individuals or systems. This fundamental aspect of cryptography plays a crucial role in information security, ensuring that sensitive data remains protected from unauthorized access and potential breaches.

In contrast, the study of digital currencies relates more to specific applications of cryptography rather than its broader principles. The analysis of network systems deals with the overall examination of networks to identify vulnerabilities and optimize performance, which is a different focus from the core principles of cryptography. Similarly, the process of logging data pertains to the collection and storage of information, which does not directly involve the secure transmission and protection of that data.