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As cybercrimes continue to rise, so too do methods for breaching network security. Deciding upon which internet security techniques best suit a specific organization can be difficult but finding effective strategies should always be pursued as much as possible.
What Is Data Encryption?
Data encryption refers to encoding sensitive information into an encrypted form that can only be decoded with the right key, and when someone unauthorized accesses this data, it appears scrambled and useless.
Data Encryption is the practice of altering information into an unintelligible form for secure protection from prying eyes, protecting any documents, files, or emails exchanged as communications from being read out loud by third parties.
Encryption is an indispensable tool in maintaining data integrity, with most websites or applications encrypted at some level.
As per this article, encryption is widely employed by both small businesses and individuals, as well as larger corporations, to protect information transmitted between endpoints and servers.
It serves both individuals as well as corporations in protecting themselves against security risks that might exist when sending data across networks. Due to cybercrime's increased risks, everyone who uses the Internet should at least become acquainted with and use basic encryption techniques.
How Does Data Encryption Work?
Plaintext or cleartext refers to data that must be encrypted; encryption algorithms use mathematical calculations on raw data sets in order to encrypt it successfully and vary greatly when it comes to application and security index.
Alongside, algorithms and keys are required. Plaintext data is encrypted using this combination and an appropriate encryption algorithm; then, this piece of information, known as the ciphertext, can then be transmitted over insecure communication channels instead.
Decryption keys provide recipients of encrypted communications a means to restore plaintext (aka an original form of the encrypted text) back into readable form - back into its original readable state, in this instance, ciphertext.
Decryption keys should remain confidential; their existence needn't necessarily correspond with encryption keys used in encrypting messages. An illustration will aid us in comprehending the entire process more fully:
What begins looking like this? As long as both parties own keys to decrypt/encrypt communications between themselves and each other, both people will have plenty of time and privacy to contemplate the ruins of their relationship.
Let's examine why encryption is necessary
What Is A Key in Cryptography?
A cryptographic key consists of an arbitrary sequence of random characters used in encryption techniques to scramble data, so it cannot be deciphered without using that key.
Modern encryption uses algorithms and complex mathematical calculations that produce unique keys with random combinations much more complex than just numbers alone. Reasons exist why this statement holds true:
- Computers can perform much more complex calculations than human cryptographers can. This makes more intricate encryption both feasible and necessary.
- Computers have the capacity to alter data at its binary level (the individual 1s and 0s that compose its contents). Without sufficient randomness in its generation, the software may easily decipher it, rendering encryption insecure; to be truly effective, it must occur randomly.
- For effective encryption to occur, it must generate its data at random rates.
- Combining cryptographic keys with encryption techniques makes the text unreadable to humans, rendering the information unusable for further interpretation.
Why Should Organizations Encrypt Data?
There are four reasons listed below to demonstrate why businesses require encryption:
- Public Key: Public-key encryption verifies that an origin server of a website possessed its private keys and was, thus, legitimately awarded with an SSL certificate - this feature can be very important when faced with so many fraudulent sites on the Internet.
- Privacy: Encryption protects data by only allowing its intended recipient or owner access, thus protecting against hackers, cybercriminals, ISPs, and spammers accessing or reading personal data.
- Compliance Standards: Many industries and government departments impose regulations mandating that organizations that work with users' personal data encrypt it for compliance reasons. HIPAA and PCI-DSS are just two such compliance and regulatory standards which enforce encryption.
- Security: Encryption protects data in transit and at rest from breaches, even if devices belonging to your company are lost or stolen by employees; even if an employee loses or takes over another device belonging to your company, it's hard drive data should remain safe as long as it was encrypted prior. Furthermore, encryption helps guard against man-in-the-middle attacks as well as facilitate party communication without worrying about data leakage issues.
What Are The Two Options For Data Encryption Techniques?
You have various data encryption methods at your disposal. Internet security (IS) professionals categorize these into three distinct groups - symmetrical, asymmetrical, and hashing encryption techniques; each will be discussed individually herein.
What Is A Symmetric Encryption Method?
Symmetric encryption requires both parties involved with message transmission to possess identical keys in order to decrypt messages sent between closed systems that present lower risks of third-party intrusion.
Its implementation makes the recipient responsible for deciphering all messages received based on that key, making this an excellent method.
Positively, symmetrical encryption is faster than its asymmetric counterpart; however, both parties need to ensure their keys are safely stored and only accessible by software that requires them.
What Is Asymmetric Encryption (Public-key Encryption)?
Public-key encryption involves two keys mathematically connected with each other that work to encrypt data: the public key and secret key (or one key and its counterpart being mathematically related to both other keys), one used for encryption while the other may be decrypted first or used alternately - it doesn't matter.
Public keys, by definition, are available to everyone, while private ones remain only with those designated to decipher messages using them.
Both keys consist of large numbers that differ, creating what's known as an "asymmetrical key pair."
Should You Employ Symmetric Or Asymmetric Encryption?
Both types of cryptography offer distinct advantages in different situations; data at rest requires protection with symmetric encryption, while database protection should use Asymmetric Cryptography to avoid theft or hackers gaining entry; it must also encrypt its databases regularly with strong symmetric keys.
These data need only to be protected until it becomes necessary later, therefore only needing one key such as provided by symmetric encryption; alternatively, asymmetric algorithm encryption could also be employed when communicating via email with others.
Symmetric encryption on emails could enable an attacker to gain entry and steal or compromise material if they obtain the key for encryption.
The sender (using public key encryption to encrypt data) and receiver (who received said data) both ensure that data can only be decrypted by them using asymmetric encryption algorithm; both methods of protection can also be combined with additional procedures, such as a digital signature or compression for even further security of information.
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What Is Hashing?
A hash is a fixed-length signature used to identify data or messages and track changes over time. Each message receives its own individual hash, which makes tracking changes simple; hashed data cannot be reversed nor deciphered with hashing algorithms used only to validate the information.
Internet security experts don't typically advocate for using encryption methods as part of their defense against threats; however, their lineage can sometimes overlap significantly.
Simply put: encryption methods provide proof that information hasn't been altered in transit. Let us now learn about an Encryption Algorithm.
What Is An Encryption Algorithm?
Data is converted to ciphertext using encryption algorithms. An algorithm alters data in predictable ways using its key, making the encrypted information appear random while being deciphered with decryption keys.
Encryption Products Categories (ECPGs)
1. Triple DES (TDES)
Triple-DES is shorthand for Triple Data Encryption Algorithm and operates through symmetric encryption for smooth operation.
Triple-DES evolved from the DES block cipher by employing 56-bit keys as keys used with this encryption technique; in its three-phase execution, it operates very similarly to that method.
Triple DES, while an effective cryptography approach, takes more time due to it requiring three decryptions for every block it encrypts or after it.
Data theft becomes easy using this risky encryption technique which was commonly recommended before other important techniques emerged and still forms part of the data security strategy for some organizations today.
2. Advanced Encryption Standard
AES uses the Rijndael algorithms of symmetric encryption for its functionality and provides data security with only one key.
Block-cipher data encryption utilizes the fixed block size at one time for ease of operation and provides for up to 12 rounds of encipherment for data 192 bits; its algorithm supports keys of up to 256 bits when working in extended mode.
3. Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) Cryptography Method
This asymmetrical cryptography approach utilizes two keys:
- Encryption using a public key.
- Decryption with a Private Key
This cryptography technique offers superior encryption speeds at 1024 bits; key length can be increased up to 2048 bits for increased encryption speeds, though the process will take longer if key sizes increase further.
RSA encryption stands out among all types by having longer bits per key that hackers cannot easily breach to gain access.
RSA stands as one of the strongest algorithms and encryption forms used widely online and thus, making the encryption method more secure against data thieves and breaches than its competition due to having more secure higher bit keys which cannot easily breach into other encryption types due to its higher bit length key length limits which cannot allow hackers easily gain entry via cracking or bypassing barriers into secure data files that other forms offer.
4. Blowfish
This data-encryption algorithm replacement uses symmetric block cryptography with keys between 32 and 448 bits; its block cipher method divides data into 64-bit blocks for encryption/decryption respectively.
Blowfish was developed as an efficient encryption algorithm available free of cost to most agencies and researchers who used it extensively to test its efficiency, data rate, and security features; testing revealed no hackers were able to gain entry.
E-commerce businesses typically employ such private keys in order to protect payment processing with this encryption algorithm.
5. Twofish
Twofish is an alternative block cipher method with 128-bit blocks; Blowfish has been modernized into an algorithm.
Twofish allows extension up to 256-bit key sets. This encryption method also distributes data into specific blocks or chunks before performing 16 rounds to complete encryption, regardless of its length.
Furthermore, its flexible algorithm enables you to adjust the keying setup for either greater security or slower encryption processes.
Twofish's AES data encryption tool provides users and industries with powerful capabilities at no charge - giving users total control of the encryption process. Twofish is compatible with AES for reliable encryption that's affordable as well.
6. Format Preserving Encryption (FPE)
This form of encryption preserves data format by making both its encryption model (ciphertext) and plaintext identical, making FPE suitable for organizations engaged with finance and economy, such as banks, audit firms, retail systems, etc.
Applications That Encrypt
Now that we understand the fundamental principles and patterns of encryption, let's briefly discuss data encryption applications that protect content while making sure messages sent and received remain undamaged on their journeys.
Hashes
Once they select an encryption type, clients are expected to verify the integrity of their data before proceeding with encryption.
Hashes can help with this task as one-way operations collect a lot of smaller pieces that make up standard-size data sets that must be validated against standard sizes - each level's fingerprint generates its own hash value that allows comparison with an original fingerprint.
However, one system won't produce different hashes due to the system's design constraints, so the original fingerprint can also be compared against hashed value when this occurs since systems don't produce different hashes when processing alteration occurs during the encryption process (i.e., the systems don't produce different hashes for the same amount of data).
Common examples include using "username and password" authentication methods when accessing web services, where servers continuously track hash values that clients enter using an algorithm similar to that which was used to encrypt it; once a match occurs between this hash value and that previously stored one, authentication occurs and can take place successfully.
Internet Encryption
Modern web browsers utilize SSL technology for Internet encryption transactions. Encryption is carried out using public key cryptography, while decryption relies on secret keys held only by you or another trusted party.
SSL technology can be identified with HTTPS-prefixed URLs that indicate secure encryption has been deployed successfully.
Home Network Encryption
Every home network's secure protocols differ slightly. Wi-fi networks usually utilize WPA2 or WPA3 encryption protocols for data encryption - while they may not provide as robust protection, they're still capable of keeping home networks protected enough.
Checking broadband router configuration files will allow you to easily determine how secure your network is.
Read More: Developing an All-Inclusive Data Security Strategy
Encryption Challenges
Brute Force attacks are one of the primary methods of breaching encryption systems, employing random keys until one that works is found.
The key size directly affects encryption intensity while increasing the required resources to perform calculations.
Alternate methods of cracking codes include side-channel attacks and cryptanalysis. Side-channel attacks focus on exploiting implementation issues rather than actual cryptography itself; when there's an architectural or implementation flaw on devices, they tend to work well; similarly, cryptanalysis involves finding and exploiting any weak spots within a cipher to exploit; more frequently used when there exists such flaws exist within.
Encryption Solutions
Data encryption technologies can help protect important personal information such as addresses and phone numbers stored on mobile phones, but in certain instances, their operation could be compromised due to computer, email, and data access functions.
Businesses and organizations today face the arduous task of managing data records effectively while protecting against loss as workers increasingly utilize external computers, removable documents, and online apps for daily business practices.
Data that employees transfer via portable computers or the cloud cannot remain within the control and protection of an organization.
Data protection technologies should ensure protection from data leakage, ransomware, and other forms of malicious software being installed on removable or external computers as well as network and cloud-based services, to guarantee proper use and keep knowledge secure even after departing an organization. They must therefore guarantee all devices and applications are used appropriately while also offering auto-encryption as an additional measure to keep knowledge protected after leaving an organization.
Endpoint security tools offer efficient data encryption solutions, although the process might appear daunting at first.
A company cannot undertake encryption alone - choose an encrypted data protection program that grants access to a computer, email, and application accounts.
Encryption Offers Benefits
Cloud computing remains an emotive topic among businesses; some consider it less reliable than their own data centers because outsiders can gain access to sensitive client and competitor data stored there.
But with encrypted files stored separately on servers in each data center, businesses still benefit from encryption in terms of protecting privacy while keeping all their files stored together in one central place.
Cloud computing has quickly become an essential business solution due to its extreme flexibility and cost efficiency.
One key benefit includes quickly creating or dismantling server instances as market needs shift or when service provider exit requests occur. But what happens if one decides not to renew? Virtualized contexts enable multi-tenancy, providing significant cost reduction and increased flexibility.
Service providers with both encrypted data and keys can gain access to it, making data access possible. Therefore, cloud data encryption makes sense while encryption keys should remain with their end-users despite some companies not even considering handling an encryption key as a solution; they instead focus on backup, affordability, and disaster recovery instead.
Customers use payment cards for various purchases and need protection for both the card itself and the data associated with it.
Most cardholders understand that their information and data remain safe under PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) encryption approach - effective data safeguarding measures are in place that address this concern.
When data breaches occur and personal data has been breached, those in charge are required to contact affected individuals immediately and notify them - in this instance, any jurisdiction can provide public notice for data intercepted that remains secure with no security keys compromised, requiring public notification in this matter; investing in encryption technology as well as comprehensive key protection could save much-needed funds in an instance of theft or misuse.
Many businesses online offer virtual offices for rent; unfortunately, these virtual offices are unprotected, and therefore, theft can easily occur from servers storing sensitive information that's been left unsecured.
Encryption helps guard against data manipulation or deletion by unintended parties; modern technologies also boast greater protection capabilities - for instance, sending remote cryptographic keys only during business hours, so if the power goes off all at once, no one would be able to use them again.
Businesses Utilize Encryption For Multiple Purposes
Encrypting documents is one-way businesses can protect sensitive information against data breaches and reduce their effects.
But you need to know both which documents to encrypt as well as how best to utilize its use efficiently. Before moving any data to the cloud, carefully assess its security needs. Create a list of sources that require encryption with what degree of encryption protection.
Your organization must enable engineers and manufacturers to securely share source code and design files among themselves if you create a cloud-based site, protecting any sensitive information shared between engineers or manufacturers by employing end-to-end encrypted protection - this way, even if your provider or account becomes compromised, your data remains safe in the cloud.
How To Implement An Effective Encryption Strategy?
Collaboration
Teamwork is required when devising an encryption strategy. Treat this endeavor like any project involving members from management, operations, and IT - start by gathering relevant data from key stakeholders, then identify laws, regulations, guidelines, and external forces which influence purchase/implementation decisions as well as areas with increased risks such as mobile phones, laptops wireless networks and data backups that warrant greater attention than others.
Establish Your Security Requirements
Gaining an overall picture of your security requirements can be helpful. Conduct a threat analysis first to identify any data that should be encrypted; different encryption systems have different processing requirements and strength levels, so it's crucial that you decide how secure you want your system.
Choose The Right Encryption Tool
After you have determined your security requirements, the next step should be finding solutions to meet them. Installing different data encryption algorithms - like SSL for website communication; AES to protect stored information or backup copies; will all help keep data safe at rest or backup copies - can ensure protection at every stage.
Utilizing encrypted email services and applications may further bolster overall protection.
Prepare For An Effective Deployment Of Encryption Plans
Any major change at your company requires careful preparation; implementation of encryption strategies requires no exception.
Your new encryption may need to be integrated into customer-facing apps and legacy systems alike, with extra procedures put in place as required - with proper planning, these changes should occur with little disruption and perhaps with help from third-party IT services providers; doing so won't burden IT teams as heavily with tasks associated with the transition.
After Installation, Maintain Security Culture
Although data encryption can provide substantial value in protecting against security risks, it alone won't solve all your security concerns.
For optimal results, ensure your team understands how best to utilize encryption and key management. Employees storing keys improperly on servers allow hostile attackers to gain entry. Human error accounts for 84% of cyber security breaches! In order to achieve maximum protection, data encryption alongside other measures like secure hardware can help your company keep data secured on multiple levels.
Encryption Disadvantages
Encryption can protect data from unauthorized individuals and agencies. One key benefit is easier access for agencies familiar with its keys or passwords for encryption.
Below are a few disadvantages associated with data encryption:
- If a user loses his/her password or key to open their encrypted file, they won't be able to regain access. Furthermore, using simpler keys for data encryption makes the data insecure, as anyone could potentially access it.
- Data encryption is a highly effective form of data security; however, its implementation requires significant resources - from processing power and time spent using complex algorithms for encryption/decryption process - making this approach costly to employ.
- If an organization lacks knowledge about encryption's limitations, it could set unreasonable standards that compromise data protection.
- Implementing data protection techniques may prove to be challenging when trying to add them on top of existing software systems and processes, leading to unnecessary disruption and potential impact.
Future Of Data Encryption
The industry has made numerous advancements in encryption. To prevent brute-force decoding, attempts have been made to increase key sizes; additionally, novel cryptography algorithms may have also been explored as possible solutions.
Quantum-safe algorithms on traditional computers tend to be inefficient; as a means to combat this issue, industry players have focused their efforts on building accelerators capable of speeding up algorithms on x86 systems.
Homomorphic encryption can be truly exciting to contemplate; users are able to conduct calculations on encrypted data prior to decrypting it, making database searches possible without needing permission or declassifying information first.
This technique provides analysts with access to secret databases without incurring extra restrictions when querying for secrets within.
Homomorphic encryption safeguards data not only now but also into the future when in use and at rest on a hard disk, using similar mathematics used by quantum computers.
Furthermore, homomorphic encryption is quantum-safe because its algorithms operate like those found within quantum computers themselves.
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Conclusion
Data encryption is an indispensable safeguard of sensitive information that helps ensure Data Security.
We explored its intricate aspects throughout this article. Data encryption technology has advanced significantly over time and now comes in an accessible, user-friendly package, especially for consumers.
Integrated seamlessly into certain operating systems like iOS, data protection is strengthened without user interference - offering greater peace of mind to both themselves and the businesses encrypting data for them.
Every organization should implement encryption into its security framework to protect sensitive information, making encryption an integral component of cybersecurity arsenals.
