International Baccalaureate (IB) Extended Essay
Subject: Computer Science
Word Count: 3,990
Final Grade: B
This repository contains my IB Extended Essay (EE) exploring the limitations of the RSA algorithm with respect to key size and possible methods to overcome these limitations.
In addition to the EE, I am also providing my Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Essay as part of the IB Diploma Programme core requirements.
The EE is a 4,000-word independent research project that involves investigating a topic of personal interest, formulating a focused research question, conducting research, and presenting findings in a formal academic style.
What are the limitations of the RSA algorithm in terms of key size, and how can these limitations be overcome?
The RSA algorithm is one of the most widely used public-key cryptosystems, providing the foundation for secure communication over the internet. However, its security heavily depends on the difficulty of factoring large integers, which is directly related to key size. This paper investigates the limitations of RSA regarding key size, analyzing how computational feasibility, efficiency, and security are affected. It further explores approaches to mitigate these issues, including the adoption of stronger key sizes, algorithmic optimizations, and the potential transition to post-quantum cryptography.
Extended_Essay.pdf– Final EE papersources/– Research sources and referencesnotes/– Additional notes and draftsTOK_Essay.pdf– Final TOK essay
- RSA security relies on the complexity of integer factorization, which becomes increasingly vulnerable as computational power grows.
- Key sizes below 2048 bits are considered insecure; 4096-bit keys offer stronger security but introduce performance and time complexity overheads.
The IB Extended Essay (EE) is a self-directed, 4,000-word research project forming part of the IB Diploma Programme core. It develops critical thinking, research, and academic writing skills, and is externally assessed. Together with the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) component, it can contribute up to 3 additional points toward the IB Diploma.
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