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Metaheuristic Search as a Cryptological Tool

Cryptology is a thriving research area of great practical importance. It is a fundamental building block of communications security. Metaheuristic optimisation techniques such as simulated annealing and genetic algorithms have found successful application in a huge number of fields. However, their application to leading edge industrial-strength cryptology has been slight. The power of metaheuristic search is, however, greatly under-estimated. The research reported here shows how a range of modern-day cryptological problems can be attacked successfully using metaheuristic search. Along the way, the work provides the cryptological researcher with many new approaches to applying metaheuristic search techniques.