Any communication is to some extent affected by noise. In order to detect or correct the errors that occur, the information is represented as a sequence of code words in an error-correcting code. The reliability of a communication system depends on physical conditions, but also on the error-correcting code and the decoding algorithm being used. Coding theory deals with methods to construct and analyze error-correcting codes and to decode them in an efficient manner. The quality of digital communication, in particular mobile communication, is totally dependent on efficient error correction.
Cryptology comprises the interrelated areas of cryptography and cryptanalysis.
Cryptographic codes, or ciphers, are used in order to protect information against wiretapping, unauthorized changes and other misuse. A cryptanalyst studies vulnerabilities of ciphers. Secure communication will be essential for the use of internet and mobile communication to its full potentials, for transfer of sensitive data in for example payment systems, e-commerce, health systems etc. For many applications systems for authentication will be necessary. Cryptology is therefore becoming more and more important for larger parts of business and industry as well as the society at large.