What Is Data Encryption?
Category: Tools | Posted date: 2022-12-19 18:12:21 | Updated date: 2022-12-19 18:15:47 | Posted by: Admin
What Is Data Encryption?
By encoding data into ciphertext, which can only be decoded with a special decryption key generated either at the time of encryption or earlier, data encryption is a technique for ensuring the confidentiality of data. Data encryption is often used in conjunction with authentication services to make sure that only authorized users are given access to or may use the keys during data storage or transfer.
Why is it important?
The requirement for protection is greater than ever as a result of attackers' increased access to and desire for data. Furthermore, a lot of companies must comply with data protection laws, many of which specifically call for the usage of encryption.
Data integrity is supported by encryption, in addition to the obvious advantages of improved security, privacy protection, and preventing illegal access. Data's origin and authenticity can be confirmed using encryption, which also safeguards content from unauthorized change.
What are the most common techniques of encryption?
Symmetric and asymmetric encryption are the two encryption techniques used most frequently. If the same key is used for encryption and decryption, the names indicate this:
- Symmetric encryption : Private key encryption is another name for this. It works best for lone users and closed systems since the key used to encrypt and decrypt data is the same. The receiver must receive the key if not. If it is intercepted by a third party, such as a hacker, the danger of compromise rises. The symmetric method is slower than this one.
- Asymmetric encryption : This type makes use of two distinct keys—public and private—that are mathematically connected. The name "asymmetric" refers to the fact that the keys are essentially two huge numbers that have been coupled together but are not identical. The owner keeps the private key a secret, and the public key is either distributed to approved recipients or made available to the general public.
Examples of encryption algorithms
To convert data into ciphertext, encryption methods are utilized. The data is altered by an algorithm using the encryption key in a predictable way such that, even though the encrypted data will appear random, it can be decrypted and returned to plaintext using the decryption key.
Different encryption methods are available that are made to serve various functions. When older algorithms become vulnerable, new ones are created. The following are a some of the most popular encryption algorithms:
- DES encryption : Data Encryption Standard is referred to as DES. This symmetric encryption technique is no longer regarded as being appropriate for use in modern applications. As a result, DES was surpassed by alternative encryption methods.
- 3DES encryption : Triple Data Encryption Standard is known by the acronym 3DES. The term "triple" is used to describe this symmetric key scheme since data is encrypted using the original DES algorithm three times. Even though Triple DES is gradually being phased out, it is still a reliable hardware encryption solution for the financial services sector and other sectors.
- AES encryption : The DES algorithm was updated with the help of the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). Applications of the AES algorithm that are more widely used include the file archiver tool WinZip and messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal.
- RSA encryption : The first asymmetric encryption technique that was widely used by the public was RSA. Due to its key length, RSA is well-liked and frequently used for secure data transmission. The initials of the mathematicians who first described this algorithm, Rivest, Shamir, and Adleman, are abbreviated as RSA. Due to its usage of a pair of keys, RSA is regarded as an asymmetric algorithm.
- Twofish encryption : Twofish is one of the fastest of its kind and is used in both hardware and software. Because Twofish is not patented, anyone who wants to utilize it can do so without paying anything. As a result, you can find it pre-installed on computers running encryption software like PhotoEncrypt, GPG, and the well-known open-source tool TrueCrypt.
- RC4 encryption : utilized in the widely-used encryption algorithms WEP and WPA for wireless routers.
Benefits of Data Encryption
- Protects intellectual property : Intellectual property is a valuable strategic asset for a lot of businesses. An enterprise can make this data inoperable to an adversary by encrypting it and safely managing encryption keys.
- Protects data in transit : The integrity and confidentiality of the data are constantly at danger as it is moved between two systems, including through man in the middle (MitM) attacks. Most of these concerns are mitigated by the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol's encryption of data in transit.
- Protects data in cloud storage : Data kept in the public cloud is susceptible to a larger range of dangers, such as unintentional Internet exposure, access by other cloud tenants, and malevolent insiders within the cloud provider. A layer of defense against all these dangers is offered by the cloud storage system's default encryption of data.
- Secures remote work : Many employees keep data outside of actual offices due to the significant increase in remote work, and employees are increasingly using personal devices to access corporate systems. Wherever data is stored, making sure it is encrypted can significantly increase security.
- Promotes data integrity : Encryption can stop malicious or unintentional change of sensitive data.
- Supports compliance : Numerous laws and industry standards expressly call for encryption. Strong encryption can be used to convince auditors that the firm is doing a good job of protecting sensitive data.
