Hire the Best Cryptographers

Clients rate our Cryptographers
Rating is 4.6 out of 5.
4.6/5
Based on 143 client reviews
Youssef E.

Kenitra, Morocco

$25/hr
5.0
39 jobs

I find the vulnerabilities in your web apps, APIs, and networks before attackers do, then hand your team a clear, reproducible penetration testing report they can act on. GXPN and GCIH certified. Top Rated on Upwork with 100% Job Success across web application, API, and network security engagements. No scanner dump and no jargon wall. Every finding comes with a severity rating (CVSS), working proof of concept, and a concrete fix your developers can ship. What I test: - Web application penetration testing (OWASP Top 10, PTES, NIST) - API security testing (REST, GraphQL, auth/OAuth, IDOR, broken access control) - SaaS and multi-tenant assessments (Supabase / Firebase data-isolation testing) - Network and external perimeter penetration testing - Source code / secure code review How I work: authorized testing only, on systems you own or have permission to test. Everything is documented over Upwork so you get a written record of every finding, not a verbal hand-wave. I retest after you patch to confirm the holes are actually closed. Credentials: GXPN (GIAC Advanced Penetration Tester & Exploit Researcher), GCIH (GIAC Certified Incident Handler), SANS CTF winner, and an active national/international CTF competitor (web, reverse, crypto, forensics). I also handle WordPress malware removal and incident response. See my Project Catalog for a fixed-price option.

  • Penetration Testing
  • Web Application Security
  • WordPress
  • Malware Removal
  • Website Security
  • Vulnerability Assessment
  • Network Penetration Testing
  • OWASP
  • Information Security
  • API
Muhammad S.

Swat, Pakistan

$15/hr
5.0
62 jobs

Hi there! I'm Muhammad Shahid a cryptographer, cybersecurity specialist, and software developer with a strong mathematical foundation in complexity theory and algorithm design. I hold a master's degree in mathematics and a bachelor's degree in computer science, and I've spent several years applying my expertise to advanced research and real-world projects across both academia and industry. I specialize in: Cryptography & Security Protocols designing and implementing cryptographic algorithms, proofs, and secure systems. Blockchain & Decentralized Systems applying cryptographic primitives to smart contracts, consensus, and secure distributed applications. Software Development proficient in Python, C, Go, and MATLAB for cryptographic computation, data analysis, and system design. Algorithm Design & Analysis optimizing performance and reasoning rigorously about computational complexity. I'm a fast learner who thrives in collaborative environments and enjoys tackling intellectually challenging problems. My work focuses on precision, efficiency, and secure, elegant solutions grounded in solid mathematical reasoning. If your project involves cryptography, blockchain, security engineering, or complex algorithmic computation, I'd love to discuss how I can help bring your idea to life. Let's connect and build something exceptional.

  • Cryptography
  • MATLAB
  • Mathematics
  • Elliptic Curve Cryptography
  • Python
  • Mathematical Software
  • Blockchain Security
  • Golang
  • C
  • Security Analysis
  • Mixed Integer Linear Programming
Gia D.

Vinh Binh, Dong Tháp, Vietnam

$50/hr
5.0
3 jobs

BACKGROUND: Quantum computing researcher with hands-on experience developing and deploying data science models on real quantum hardware. Achieved 96.1% correctness on IBM quantum systems with expertise in quantum machine learning, classification algorithms, and optimisation techniques. A proven track record in Python-based data pipelines, statistical modelling, and cross-functional collaboration. Experienced in translating complex technical problems into practical solutions with measurable business impact.

  • Cryptography
  • Information Security
  • Data Analytics
  • Quantum Computing
  • Quantum Workplace Goals
  • Database
  • Network Engineering
  • Sales Management
  • Price & Quote Negotiation
  • Relationship Management
  • Customer Service
Mihai V.

San Diego, California

$75/hr
5.0
5 jobs

I design and build production-grade security systems for companies that need to secure cloud infrastructure, pass audits, and operate in regulated environments. Most teams don’t have a security tool problem. They have an architecture, integration, and execution problem. That’s where I come in. What I Do I help startups and enterprise teams move from: ❌ fragmented tools and partial controls ❌ audit delays and failing security reviews ❌ reactive fixes and security debt → to ✅ engineered, scalable security architecture ✅ audit-ready, continuously compliant environments ✅ automated, integrated security operations Core Expertise Cloud Security & Cryptography • Multi-cloud security architecture (AWS, Azure, GCP) • TLS PKI systems with automated certificate lifecycle (IaC + CI/CD) • Encryption architecture (CMEK, KMS, data masking, data protection) • Cryptographic hardening aligned with FIPS and modern standards • DNS security, network isolation, and zero-trust patterns Identity & Access Management • SSO (SAML, OIDC), enterprise identity federation • RBAC and least-privilege system design at scale • SCIM provisioning and identity lifecycle automation • Integration with enterprise IdPs (PingFederate, Azure AD, Okta) • Cross-account and multi-environment access control Compliance & Audit Readiness • SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, HIPAA, FedRAMP-aligned environments • End-to-end delivery: gap assessment → implementation → audit support • Control design, remediation, and evidence automation (Vanta, Drata, custom pipelines) • Continuous compliance monitoring vs point-in-time audits • Closing audit findings fast (not just identifying them) Security Engineering & Incident Response • CI/CD security (SAST, DAST, IaC scanning, secret management) • Vulnerability management with automated remediation workflows • Cloud misconfiguration detection (CIS benchmarks, runtime analysis) • Secure system design across infrastructure and application layers • Incident response, forensics support, and system hardening AI-Driven Security I don’t just integrate tools — I design security platforms. I have built and architected multi-agent AI-driven cybersecurity systems combining: • Cloud security analysis (AWS integrations, IAM analysis, misconfiguration detection) • Offensive security (recon, exploitation, privilege escalation simulation) • Vulnerability management (SAST, DAST, fuzzing, CI/CD integration) • SOC automation (SIEM/SOAR integrations, alert enrichment, playbooks) • Forensics and incident investigation workflows • Compliance reporting mapped to frameworks (SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI, HIPAA) Key capabilities: • Multi-agent orchestration and communication • Automated remediation workflows • MITRE ATT&CK mapping and executive reporting • API-driven integrations across security tooling ecosystem • Role-based access for security, DevOps, and compliance teams This enables: → Continuous security instead of periodic assessments → 80% reduction in manual security effort → Faster audit readiness and real-time visibility How I Work • Engineering-first — I build and implement, not just advise • Work directly in production systems (cloud, identity, pipelines) • Design for real audit constraints, not theoretical compliance • Fast execution, clear communication, and ownership Typical Clients • SaaS companies preparing for SOC 2 / ISO 27001 / HIPAA • Cloud-native platforms handling sensitive or regulated data • Startups entering enterprise sales with security blockers • Organizations with fragmented security tools that don’t work together Important I’m not a fit for checklist-based security or surface-level audits. If you need: • real security architecture • working implementations • systems that pass audits and hold up in production - we’ll work well together.

  • Cryptography
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Cybersecurity Tool
  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework
  • FedRAMP
  • PCI DSS
  • Information Security Threat Mitigation
  • Software
  • Linux
  • macOS
  • Security Engineering
  • Cloud Security
  • Metasploit
  • Software Architecture
  • Software Architecture & Design
Busra U.

Usak, Turkey

$35/hr
5.0
4 jobs

I specialize in cybersecurity, focusing on threat detection and incident analysis with hands-on experience in detection engineering. I have developed Sigma detection rules aligned with MITRE ATT&CK techniques, rigorously validated through Atomic Red Team testing in controlled environments. My expertise includes working with SIEM platforms like Splunk and Wazuh, alongside PowerShell abuse detection and monitoring Windows process and registry telemetry. I have a strong emphasis on adversary emulation and fileless attack detection, enabling me to create high-signal, low-noise security detections. If you are looking for a detail-oriented analyst who can enhance your security posture through innovative detection strategies, I am ready to help your organization stay secure. Let's connect to discuss your cybersecurity needs.

  • Information Security
  • Compliance
  • Network Engineering
  • Cyber Threat Intelligence
  • Digital Forensics
  • Information Security Audit
  • Ethical Hacking
  • Security Analysis
  • Security Engineering
  • OWASP
  • Compliance Consultation
  • Security Operation Center
  • Vulnerability Assessment
Md Rakibul H.

Dhaka, Bangladesh

$50/hr
4.9
156 jobs

I have more than 13 years of practical working experience in cyber security sector. I am crypto scam investigator and recovery specialist. I am expert on digital forensics investigation. I can help you for VAPT and Audit Cases. My expertise areas: 1. Crypto Scam Investigator & Recovery Expert, I am a crypto scam investigator & recovery expert. I have done 300+ cases already. I understand the importance of recovering funds. I am professional & worked with clients from USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and more locations. I will handle your case with the utmost professionalism and dedication. Normally Scammers manipulate clients to invest in scam sites. After that, they shows the fake growing amount. Then clients invest a huge amount for a handsome profit. But when the client want to withdraw the amount then the scammer tells the client to pay for taxes & services, etc. If the client even pay taxes they will never allow for withdrawal requests. These are the very common tricks that scammers apply nowadays. Here is an outline of how I will assist you in recovering your clients' funds and catching the criminal: a) I will trace-back all the transactions and find the final holding wallet addresses b) I will check the website for vulnerabilities c) I will provide a report that include every single step details for the law enforcement Hire me to get this service immediately 2. SOC Setup for monitoring your target devices. My project offers a comprehensive Security Operations Center (SOC) setup service that integrates Elastic Search, Wazuh, and Filebeat to provide an all-encompassing solution for monitoring and securing your IT infrastructure. This service is designed to help organizations of all sizes protect their digital assets, ensure compliance with industry standards, and respond swiftly to security incidents. #Elastic Search Installation: #Wazuh Installation: #Filebeat Installation: #Manager Installation on Client Machine: #Dashboard and Reporting Setup: #Testing and Validation: #Training and Handover: Providing training sessions to your team on how to use and manage the SOC setup. Key Benefits: Enhanced Security Posture: Gain comprehensive visibility into your network, identify threats in real-time, and respond swiftly to security incidents. Why Choose My Service? With 5 years of experience in cybersecurity and SOC implementations, I bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to ensure your project is successful. My background includes working with various organizations to enhance their security measures and protect their digital assets. Hire Me Now! 3. Digital Forensics Service: I specialize in digital forensics and cyber investigation services to uncover the truth behind cyber incidents. With 10 years of experience, I offer: a) Digital Forensics: Expert analysis of digital devices to retrieve critical evidence. b) Incident Response: Swift response to contain breaches and identify attack vectors. c) Network & System Analysis: Identification of unauthorized access and vulnerabilities. d) Malware Analysis: In-depth examination to determine malware nature and impact. e) Expert Witness Testimony: Qualified to provide clear technical support in legal proceedings Hire me to get this service immediate 4. Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing (VA/PT) Service: With nearly 10 years of experience in vulnerability assessment & penetration testing, I aim to provide the highest level of security for clients' websites and applications. Through testing and a comprehensive report, I identify vulnerabilities and offer actionable recommendations for improvement. Please provide project details for an accurate estimate. Hire me to get this service immediately 5. Hack Investigation & Hack Removal Service: I offer comprehensive Hack Investigation & Removal services a) Thoroughly investigate the incident, identify its source and impact. b) Swiftly remove malicious code and unauthorized access. c) Recover compromised data and fortify security measures. d) Continuous monitoring and support for ongoing protection. Hire me to get this service immediately 6. Cyber Security Risk & Compliance: I have experience in the telecom sector as a Compliance officer. I can help for IS Audit, MBSS Baseline security check, CIS Benchmark check, IS Evidences, NDA, Firewall Rules, Router Settings, API Security, DB Security, OS Security etc to make the whole system secure. I can prepare an checklist based on your asset to maintain and followup security compliance.

  • Cryptography
  • Ethical Hacking
  • System Security
  • Digital Forensics
  • Cybersecurity Management
  • Vulnerability Assessment
  • MySQL
  • Information Analysis
  • Information Security
  • Penetration Testing
  • Information & Communications Technology
  • Network Security
  • iPhone
  • Growth Hacking
  • Cryptocurrency

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How to Hire Top Cryptographers

How to hire cryptographers

Need help securing IT and computer systems through algorithms, ciphers, and encryption? Or are you trying to decrypt a secure file to access its contents? Cryptographers are here to help. 

So how do you hire cryptographers? What follows are some tips for finding top cryptography consultants on Upwork.

How to shortlist cryptography professionals

As you’re browsing available cryptography consultants, it can be helpful to develop a shortlist of the professionals you may want to interview. You can screen profiles on criteria such as:

  • Technology fit. You want a cryptographer who understands the technologies behind the IT or computer system you wish to encrypt or decrypt.
  • Project experience. Screen candidate profiles for specific skills and experience (e.g., securing blockchain transactions with cryptographic hash functions in your supply chain management system).
  • Feedback. Check reviews from past clients for glowing testimonials or red flags that can tell you what it’s like to work with a particular cryptographer.

How to write an effective cryptography job post

With a clear picture of your ideal cryptographer in mind, it’s time to write that job post. Although you don’t need a full job description as you would when hiring an employee, aim to provide enough detail for a contractor to know if they’re the right fit for the project.

Job post title

Create a simple title that describes exactly what you’re looking for. The idea is to target the keywords that your ideal candidate is likely to type into a job search bar to find your project. Here are some sample cryptographer job post titles:

  • Cybersecurity consultant experienced encrypting/decrypting files with AES
  • Seeking a blockchain cryptography expert to help implement a smart contract system with Hyperledger
  • Need an ethical hacker to decrypt IT systems infected by ransomware

It’s worth noting that you will rarely find freelancers branding themselves as cryptographers. Based on your cryptography needs, your title should be more specific and target the type of professional who is relevant to your job post. 

Cryptography project description

An effective cryptography job post should include: 

  • Scope of work: From recovering locked files to beefing up security with encryption, list all the deliverables you’ll need. 
  • Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a smaller or larger project. 
  • Background: If you prefer experience with certain industries, technologies, and cryptography specializations, mention this here. 
  • Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts.

Cryptographer responsibilities

Here are some examples of cryptographer job responsibilities:

  • Identify and patch weaknesses in existing cryptography-based security systems
  • Design and implement technology-specific encryption solutions (e.g., cryptographic hash functions for blockchain implementations)
  • Create a cybersecurity plan for following encryption/decryption best practices

Cryptographer requirements and qualifications

Be sure to include any requirements and qualifications you’re looking for in a cryptographer. Here are some examples:

  • Cryptography
  • Cybersecurity
  • Mathematical/statistical analysis
  • A working knowledge of algorithms, ciphers, and encryption technologies
  • Platform-specific experience with the computer and IT systems of your project (e.g., AWS cloud infrastructure)

Cryptographers FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is cryptography?

Cryptography is the study of information and communication security techniques. While the practice of securing communications through coded messages is nothing new, today’s cryptographers leverage computer science and mathematical concepts to encrypt and decrypt information. Cryptography plays a major role in securing communications between IT infrastructure, computer systems, and software. It’s also one of the foundational technologies behind blockchain, a distributed ledger system that secures its transactions through cryptographic hash functions.

How much does it cost to hire a cryptographer?

The first step to determining the cost to hire a cryptographer will be to define your needs. Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions.

Cost factor #1: project scope

The first variable to consider when determining scope is the nature of the work that needs to be completed. Not all cryptography projects are created equal. Setting up basic encryption keys to handle authentication within a mobile app will typically take less time than creating your cryptographic system for a new blockchain technology. 

Tip: The more accurately your job description describes the scope of your project, the easier it will be for talent to give you accurate cost estimates and proposals.

Cost factor #2: cryptography experience

Choosing the right level of expertise for the job is closely tied to how well you determined the scope of your project. You wouldn’t need an advanced cryptographer to leverage an existing blockchain technology such as Ethereum to set up a single smart contract. On the other hand, decrypting your company’s files after a ransomware attack will require an expert ethical hacker. 

Beyond experience level, you need to consider the type of experience the talent possesses. The following table breaks down the rates of the typical types of cryptographers you can find on Upwork.

Rates charged by cryptographers on Upwork

Types of Cryptographers

Description

Hourly Rate

Cybersecurity consultant 

Leverages ciphers, algorithms, and encryption solutions to secure communications between IT infrastructure, software, and devices.

$30-80+

Blockchain expert

Leverages cryptography to design and implement blockchain solutions such as cryptocurrencies, smart contracts, and smart supply chains. 

$40-80+

Ethical hacker

Leverages cryptography to decrypt files, recover lost data, or harden security systems through security testing. 

$60-90+


 

Cost factor #3: location

Location is another variable that can impact a cryptographer’s cost. It’s no secret that you can leverage differences in purchasing power between countries to gain savings on talent. But it’s also important to factor in hidden costs such as language barriers, time zones, and the logistics of managing a remote team. The real advantage to sourcing talent remotely on Upwork is the ability to scan a global talent pool for the best possible person for the job. Location is no longer an obstacle. 

Cost factor #4: independent contractor vs. agency

The final variable regarding talent cost is hiring an independent contractor vs. an agency. An agency is often a “one size fits all” model, so you’ll often have access to a designer, a project manager, an engineer, and more. When hiring individuals you have total autonomy regarding who is responsible for which part of the project, but you’ll need to source each of those skills separately.

The trade-off between hiring individuals vs. hiring an agency is the level of administrative overhead you incur personally in coordinating tasks among all members of the team. Project scope and personal preference will determine which style is a better fit for your needs.

Cryptography Tips and Best Practices

Encrypt sensitive information in transit

Sensitive data such as personally identifiable information (PII), transactions, and trade secrets should be safeguarded by encryption whenever possible. When information is in transit, such as through API gateways between apps via transport protocols (e.g., HTTP), an encryption protocol such as TLS (transport layer security) should be used. 

Consider end-to-end encryption (E2EE)

As important as it is to secure information in transit, it’s also important to consider mapping your entire encryption strategy to cover all points across an encryption path including the endpoints. 

Cryptographic keys used to encrypt messages and are stored exclusively at the endpoints. Normally a file can only be decrypted if it can obtain the public key of the other endpoint. However, it’s possible to perform a man-in-the-middle attack in which the decoding key is intercepted in transit to the other player. 

The solution is to use public and private keys to ensure two parties are able to exchange keys with each other without exposing the keys to malicious third parties. If you encrypt a message with your public key, only someone with a matching private key can decrypt it. 

The recipient shares their public key with you to allow you to send an encrypted message to them. This is done to identify both parties. There are many types of E2EE, each with its own weaknesses and strengths, using this concept of public and private key pairs to verify the identity of the other side of a transaction. 

Determine if decentralized E2EE is preferred

There are many aspects of business and industry that ultimately boil down to transactions in a ledger. Sometimes those transactions are financial; other times the transactions are the transfer of information between two parties. With the advent of the blockchain, security specialists have begun to explore its applications to encryption protocols. 

Conventional E2EE messaging apps rely on centralized systems to handle the identity validation of senders and receivers in encrypted transactions. The public key serves as the encryption key and is published to a trusted centralized authority to allow others to send encrypted messages to the owner of the public key. From the perspective of a sender, ownership of the public key is verified by this trusted centralized authority. The centralized authority is responsible for preventing a man in the middle from masquerading as the owner of the public key. But what happens if something about the nature of your data means you can’t trust a third-party centralized authority? 

You can use a blockchain, a distributed ledger technology (DLT), to ensure information transactions are validated for both senders and receivers. Combine DLT with encryption and you get a decentralized public key infrastructure (DPKI). Here’s how it works:

  • Digital signatures consist of two keys: a signing key (private key) and a verification key (public key).
  • Digital signatures for information transactions are recorded on a blockchain as pairs.
  • Anyone can write to the blockchain, which uses cryptography to make it computationally infeasible to alter. 
  • Since the blockchain of information transactions is immutable, and everyone has a copy of the blockchain, it becomes computationally infeasible to commit fraud.

In this way it’s possible to enhance the security of your encryption scheme by relying on the cryptography and transparency of a blockchain to add another layer of security to your encryption.