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Encryption can serve as a measure of protection by scrambling data so only authorized personnel can read it. There are various kinds of encryption solutions, so selecting the suitable encryption algorithm and technique to meet your security needs is crucial:
- Explore symmetric and asymmetric encryption methods.
- What are the most widely utilized encryption algorithms?
How To Encrypt Data
Data encryption protects sensitive information from being seen by unauthorized individuals. However, in practice, encryption can also be used to hide information by making it appear random and less significant than it is.
There are three basic approaches used for data encryption that you should know of:
- Data in transit/being transmitted
- Data at Rest
- The entire data lifecycle
Organizations can protect sensitive information in databases, files, documents, and messages by encrypting confidential content.
Do not assume encryption can only be used for malicious reasons - it can also serve to safeguard your assets. Ransomware attacks increasingly rely on encryption to capture files faster. According to research by our cybersecurity team (our in-house cybersecurity provider), encryption may provide protection from Ransomware attacks quickly.
Types Of Encryption
Due to the vast array of data types and security applications, data encryption methods vary considerably. Two broad categories exist for data encryption: symmetrical and asymmetrical methods.
Symmetric Encryption
With Symmetric Encryption, one secret key can be used for plaintext encryption and decryption using symmetric methods, only accessible to authorized recipients; both the sender and the recipient have access.
Private Key Cryptography is another term for this form of symmetric encryption. One of the more prevalent symmetric algorithms includes:
- Advanced Encryption Standard
- Data Encryption Standard
- Twofish
Asymmetric Encryption
Public and private keys are utilized in Asymmetric cryptography for encryption and decryption operations, respectively.
These separate keys must also be kept securely during each encryption or decryption process:
- As their names suggest, public keys are publicly accessible or only shared among authorized recipients.
- For this task to succeed, public and private keys must be present; public keys will not decrypt data.
Asymmetric encryption adds another level of protection for online transactions.
Comparison Between Symmetrical And Asymmetric
There are various distinctions between symmetric and asymmetric cryptography techniques, besides their differing critical combinations:
- Asymmetric cryptography is an improved form of encryption that does not rely on sharing one's private key between parties involved yet still offers secure communication channels between individuals. Although it is slower in practice, its significance should not be ignored.
- Symmetric cryptography techniques work best with large datasets but produce smaller ciphertexts than their plaintext equivalents. Asymmetric encryption works the other way.
Various algorithms within asymmetrical and symmetrical encryption methods use various strategies to conceal sensitive data.
Below, we explore these in greater depth.
Quick Note: How Hashing Works
Hashing is an algorithm that converts files or messages of any size into fixed-length values using hashed encryption techniques.
Significantly, hashing must be differentiated from encryption as neither has its key for complete privacy; hashes can even be recreated and thus do not ensure complete anonymity. Hashing is used with cryptography as a data storage and retrieval technique, often to secure communications, protect privacy or provide faster authentication of messages and files.
Most commonly, hashing can be applied when:
- Document Verification
- Digital Signatures
- Integrity Management
Common Data Encryption Algorithms
The encryption methods utilized depend upon various variables.
- Key exchange
- Original message
- Homomorphic encryption
- Key for encryption
- Security risks
- Cryptographic algorithms
Advanced Encryption Standard
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is the world's most frequently employed symmetric algorithm for data encryption, widely utilized by government entities around the globe.
AES encryption can be used for:
- File and Application Encryption
- Wi-fi Security
- VPN
- SSL/TLS Protocol
Triple Data Encryption Standard
Triple Data Encryption Standards, Triple DES or 3DES, are symmetric encryption methods using 56-bit secret keys for data block encoding.
TDES offers more sophistication and security than its counterpart, the Data Encryption Standard algorithm (DES), applying it three times on each encrypted data block. Microsoft Office and Firefox both utilize TDES encryption algorithms for secure storage of documents such as:
- ATM Pins
- UNIX Passwords
- Other Payment Systems
Industry leaders have indicated that TDES may soon be phased out for AES, which provides greater security than TDES.
AES provides more incredible encryption speed compared with TDES.
Rivest Shamir Adleman (RSA)
Rivest Shamir Adleman's encryption algorithm is an asymmetric form of cryptography designed for secure communication across networks like the Internet, such as providing personal or financial data over wire connections.
When used, this technique creates two large prime numbers, which an expert must know before deciphering can begin; only someone familiar with them will be able to decode messages effectively.
This encryption method provides an effective means for an organization to protect confidential data, with some key restrictions, including speed.
Unfortunately, large volumes of information often take too much time for RSA encryption methods like these to process. Instead, they're typically utilized when:
- Smaller-scale documentation
- Files
- Messaging
- Payments
Blowfish
Blowfish was initially designed as an alternative to the Data Encryption Standard. Utilizing 64-bit blocks and individually encrypting them, this symmetric algorithm boasts flexibility, fast encryption speeds, and resilient security; moreover, its public domain availability adds further appeal.
Blowfish encryption methods can secure:
- E-Commerce Platforms
- Password Management systems
- Email data encryption tools
Twofish
Twofish is the next-generation version of Blowfish and uses a symmetric algorithm to encrypt 128-bit data blocks using 16 rounds regardless of key size, using an advanced key schedule and fast encryption speeds on both hardware and software platforms.
Although Twofish is free to download and freely available like its predecessor Blowfish, Twofish offers significantly faster encryption times with more excellent performance on hardware. Twofish is one of the most frequently employed encryption programs for files and folders.
Format-Preserving Encryption
A second symmetric algorithm used for encryption, Format-Preserving Encryption (FPE), keeps data format intact during encryption - such as phone numbers.
FPE can provide security to cloud management tools and software for data encryption on trusted cloud platforms like Google Cloud and AWS.
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Data Encryption Algorithms Methods
Data encryption is an efficient and widely-applied security measure widely utilized by organizations. But with various encryption methods available, how should organizations decide on one over the other?
Comfort can be found in knowing there are various methods hackers and cybercriminals can employ to breach network security, making it more challenging than ever for organizations to identify which methods will provide maximum protection for themselves.
What it is, its functioning process, potential uses, and different forms.
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Data Encryption
Data encryption protects sensitive information by encoding it so it can only be decoded with an authorized access key.
Unauthorized attempts at accessing or decryption will lead to scrambled results; for more information regarding data encryption. Data encryption is a technique for hiding confidential information from prying eyes; documents, files, emails, and any form of communication may all be encrypted for protection.
Learn To Secure, Test & Manage IT Systems
Cryptography is an indispensable tool that ensures data remains protected - most websites and apps we access online utilize some form of encryption technology in some form or another.
Experts define encryption as "converting data into an encrypted format that can only be read or processed after decryption". As this article states, encryption is increasingly being adopted by individuals and small businesses as the easiest and most essential way to safeguard information traveling between endpoints to servers.
Because cybercrime represents such a growing threat, everyone and every group who uses the Internet should at least become acquainted with and employ basic encryption techniques.
Are You Struggling with Data Management? Data Management offers expert insight and practical knowledge that will enable you to be successful.
How Does Data Encryption Work?
Plaintext or cleartext refers to data that needs to be encrypted, which requires using encryption algorithms - mathematical calculations that must be applied to raw information to produce encrypted resultant texts.
Each encryption algorithm differs in terms of application and security index rating.
Not only are algorithms necessary, but a key is also necessary. Plaintext data can then be encrypted using this key and an encryption algorithm to produce what's known as ciphertext - instead of being sent out via insecure communication channels.
It's sent back through this route instead.
Decryption keys allow intended recipients to return ciphertext into its readable, original state: plaintext. These decryption keys must remain secret; they do not necessarily need to be the same ones used to encrypt a message.
Why Do We Need Data Encryption?
Four reasons are given below to explain why organizations need to use encryption:
- Public-key encryption: Public-key encryption serves to authenticate that an origin server of a website possesses its private keys and is awarded an SSL certificate legitimately, an essential verification process in an environment full of fraudulent websites.
- Privacy: Encryption protects data by only allowing access or reading by its intended recipient or owner - this prevents hackers, cybercriminals, internet service providers, or spammers from reading personal data that belongs solely to them.
- Compliance regulations: In many industries and government departments, regulations mandate that organizations working with user data must use encryption when handling it. HIPAA and PCI-DSS are two examples of such compliance standards which enforce it.
- Security: Encryption protects data against breach regardless of where or when it resides - whether in transit, at rest, lost devices owned by the company, man-in-the-middle attacks, or communications that might expose sensitive material. By employing encryption technology on hard drives that belong to companies owned by employees (lost/stolen), its complex drive data remains safe from prying eyes while simultaneously providing parties the confidence that all their communications won't reveal sensitive material to third parties.
What Are The Data Encryption Techniques?
Choose among several data encryption methods available today from those offered by Internet security (IS). Professionals categorize encryption techniques into three groups - symmetrical, asymmetrical, and hashing encryption schemes; with further subcategorization into different subgroups that will be discussed individually below.
Also referred to as private key encryption or secret vital algorithms, symmetric cryptography requires both the sender and recipient of messages to possess identical keys for decrypting messages sent between these parties.
It works best in systems where third-party intrusion risks are low compared with open systems with higher risks from third-party intrusions.
Positively, symmetrical encryption is faster than its asymmetric counterpart; however, both parties need to ensure the key is kept securely stored and is only accessible for programs that need it.
Asymmetric encryption uses two keys mathematically interrelated - a public key and a secret key - to encrypt data; one is used for encryption while the other is for decryption; it doesn't matter which key you use first!
Public keys, as the name implies, are accessible to everyone. In contrast, private ones (used for deciphering messages) remain only with their intended recipients.
Both keys consist of large numbers that do not correspond exactly; their pairing creates what's known as an "asymmetrical" component.
What Is Hashing?
Hashing is a fixed-length signature used to identify data or messages and track minor modifications. Each message receives its hash, which makes tracking changes easy, while data encrypted with hashing cannot be reversed or decoded without cracking its code; hence, hashing can only be used as a verification process for data.
Internet security experts typically don't consider encryption methods; however, because the line between encryption and password-protection methods can often blur, classification can sometimes remain in place.
Bottom line: encryption provides evidence of non-tampering of information. Let us now investigate encryption algorithms.
Data can be converted to ciphertext using encryption algorithms. Each encryption key enables an algorithm to alter data in an unpredictable yet predictable fashion resulting in encrypted information appearing random.
Nevertheless, decryption keys allow data to be returned to its original form for decipherment.
Read More: Use Data Encryption To Protect Against Data Theft
Encryption Challenges And Solutions
Brute force attacks on encryption have become the go-to approach today, typically by trying out random keys until one works successfully.
Key length can determine how likely such an attack might occur; encryption strength remains directly proportional, yet resource requirements increase with increasing key sizes.
Other methods used to break ciphers include side-channel attacks and cryptanalysis. A side-channel attack targets implementation rather than a cipher, making more successful attacks when there is an oversight in system design or implementation.
Cryptanalysis works similarly by exploiting weaknesses within ciphers if any exist. It often occurs more readily when they contain flaws that allow further penetration.
Data Encryption Solutions
Data encryption solutions can protect devices, emails, and even data.
Many encryption capabilities come equipped with control features to monitor their use - whether on devices themselves, emails, or data stored therein. With employees increasingly using removable media, web applications, and external devices as part of daily work activities, companies and organizations must deal with protecting data to avoid data losses.
Employees may be unable to protect sensitive data if it is copied onto removable media and uploaded into the cloud.
However, adequate data protection solutions exist that will stop theft, malware, and web applications from being introduced via removable and external devices. They must ensure both devices and applications remain secured while keeping data encrypted once an organization leaves.
Email control and encryption are integral to preventing data loss, providing regulatory compliance, remote workers, BYOD environments, and project outsourcing with secure encrypted emails as the sole solution.
Data loss prevention solutions from leading providers allow employees to work and collaborate via email while software classifies and encrypts sensitive material within emails or attachments; top software will even automatically block sensitive material based on message context, such as recipient user/class/data class classification, etc.
Data encryption software offers your organization a reliable solution to manage this complex process quickly and reliably.
Don't entrust this task solely to yourself: choose a data loss prevention solution that includes encryption as part of its package with controls over email, devices, and applications for optimal protection of all sensitive information.
Data Encryption Utilization
Encryption methods have certain drawbacks despite their apparent benefits; here, we discuss how best practices can overcome and address such concerns.
Key Management
Key Management In an organization, data encryption presents many unique challenges regarding crucial Management.
Keys used for decryption must be stored somewhere and aren't always as safe as people believe - hackers have proven adept at finding where valuable information lies, which poses severe threats to network and enterprise security. Key Management can further impede data backup and restoration processes, potentially delaying recovery after an event such as an outbreak or disaster.
Brute Force Attacks
Brute-force attacks represent a potentially severe but lesser-known threat to encryption technology. A brute-force attack involves hackers trying to guess decryption keys; modern computers can produce millions or billions of combinations at any given time; therefore, the more complex an encryption key is, the safer its encryption should be from brute-force attempts.
These attacks tend to be effective against today's encryption algorithms when combined with strong passwords; however, computing technology continues to progress and poses an ongoing threat against data encryption in the future.
Best Practices For A Data Encryption Strategy
Data encryption can be an excellent way to safeguard the information within your company, but successful implementation requires planning and strategy.
Here we outline best practices to make your encryption techniques as efficient and successful as possible.
Define Your Security Requirements
Step one in any encryption strategy should always include an analysis of your organization's overall security landscape to ascertain your needs and compare the strengths of various encryption systems.
Your security posture can be evaluated by:
- Conduct a threat analysis to identify any vulnerabilities within your system.
- Inform your team and stakeholders of any decisions, current circumstances, or compliance regulations that might impact your strategy.
- Examine prescriptive material, such as cybersecurity frameworks, with proven credentials.
Classify Your Data
In step two of data classification, it is essential to understand all data types sent and stored, whether financial data, account details, customer info, or even proprietary business details that support your operations.
Once appropriately classified, they can then be categorized.
Determine An Appropriate Encryption Solution
By understanding your data's priorities and security needs, selecting an encryption tool that meets them will become much more straightforward.
A variety of techniques and algorithms to secure databases, applications, files, or storage may need to be put into place, while top data encryption solutions offer:
- Data encryption at various levels for both on-premises data (application, database, and file storage) and cloud data (application database and file).
- Dashboard for centralizing encryption keys, policies, and configurations.
- An automated critical lifecycle process for both on-premises and cloud encryption keys.
- Compliance can be addressed via audit logging, shared groups, and RBAC (role-based access control).
- Data encryption tools provide additional layers of protection when used alongside general solutions like email protection platforms and cloud security software.
Consider Deployment Obstacles
Any business will experience difficulty remaining profitable without updating or revamping existing security strategies, especially data encryption solutions that integrate seamlessly with legacy systems or application backends.
Anticipate potential difficulties when adding or updating security strategies by planning ahead for potential problems like integration issues between data-encryption solutions and legacy applications or backends. Engaging an external IT third-party provider for deployment assistance could prove valuable.
Foster And Collaborate For An Influential Security Culture
Employees must embrace your data encryption strategy by adopting its culture. Training on best practices for encryption key management will minimize human error.
In contrast, improper key storage could put sensitive data at risk.
Limits Of Data Encryption
Data encryption protects unwarranted access by outside sources; however, to keep hackers at bay, you'll still require additional cybersecurity solutions like firewalls, endpoint measures, and VPNs as part of an overall strategy.
An effective cybersecurity plan must include an encryption strategy.
Future Of Data Encryption Techniques
Data encryption strategies and techniques are an integral security element in every business.
Unfortunately, data encryption doesn't come without risks: with cyber-attacks becoming ever more sophisticated and computer systems constantly progressing forward. Initiatives like next-generation quantum-safe algorithms and homomorphic cryptography provide exciting developments for data encryption techniques; other methods may emerge with time as technology develops further.
At present, the best way to safeguard your data is through implementing an encryption solution explicitly tailored to meet your security requirements and implemented together with IT, management, and operations teams.
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Conclusion
Data transmission involves various encryption processes which work simultaneously to encrypt and decrypt information for the secure transmission of sensitive and generalized data.
