Mathematics plays a crucial role in cryptography and secure communication systems by providing the foundation for encryption algorithms and cryptographic protocols. Math concepts such as number theory, probability theory, algebra, and computational complexity are used to create secure cryptographic systems that protect data and ensure confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity in communication. Encryption algorithms leverage mathematical operations to scramble data into an unreadable form, while decryption algorithms use mathematical techniques to reverse the process and recover the original data. Overall, mathematics is essential in designing and analyzing the security of communication systems to prevent unauthorized access and protect sensitive information.