Comprehensive Survey of Symmetric and Public-Key Cryptographic Algorithms: Foundations, Attacks, and Applications
Ami M. Shah, Ashishkumar Gor · International Journal Of Informative and Futuristic Research · 2025
This survey provides a comprehensive examination of modern cryptographic algorithms, spanning both symmetric-key and public-key paradigms.It delves into the structural design, mathematical foundations, operational principles, and known cryptanalytic vulnerabilities of widely adopted algorithms such as AES, ChaCha20, RSA, and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC).The report highlights the trade-offs between computational efficiency and security strength across different use cases and deployment environments.Additionally, it analyzes modern modes of operation (e.g., GCM, Poly1305), digital signature schemes (e.g., ECDSA, EdDSA), and secure key exchange protocols.Emphasis is placed on emerging trends, including post-quantum cryptographic schemes like Kyber and Dilithium, which aim to ensure resilience against quantum adversaries.Real-world applications in secure messaging, VPNs, blockchain, and IoT are examined to demonstrate how cryptographic choices are influenced by domain-specific constraints such as latency, energy efficiency, and trust models.This survey aims to serve as a foundational reference for researchers and practitioners seeking to understand the evolving landscape of algorithmic cryptography and its practical implications.