Which of the following best describes the purpose of cryptology?

The purpose of cryptology is fundamentally rooted in the study of methods for coding and decoding information. This field encompasses both cryptography, which focuses on creating secure communication by transforming information into a format that is unreadable without a decryption key, and cryptanalysis, which involves methods for breaking these codes to access the original data. Understanding these processes allows for the development of secure communication channels, the protection of sensitive information, and the establishment of trust between parties in various contexts.

While developing secure networking protocols, managing risks from data breaches, and preventing unauthorized access to resources are all related to the broader applications of cryptology, they do not encapsulate its primary focus. Cryptology itself underpins these concepts by providing the necessary techniques and methodologies to protect information through effective coding and decoding practices. Thus, the emphasis on studying these methods directly aligns with the core objective of cryptology.