The Handbook of Applied Cryptography
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The Handbook of Applied Cryptography (aka the HAC), by Menezes, van Oorschot and Vanstone. One of the fundamental textbooks in this area. Covers basic theory, symmetric and asymmetric cryptography, and protocols. This is not a quick read, mind you. It's a serious textbook and an excellent reference.
on blog.cryptographyengineering.com · 12 Jan 2012