What is Data Encryption?

As the internet's popularity grows, so do the number of threats and malicious black hat hackers that want to gain access to confidential information and extort it for profit. While certain data breaches are unavoidable, there is a technology that dates back thousands of years, that we still use today in order to protect data. It is called encryption and today we will dive deeper into the question - what is data encryption? Read on to find out.

Updated: 14 Dec, 21 by Antoniy Yushkevych 13 Min

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The internet and related technologies are extremely vital in today's world. Have you ever been curious about what the internet is and why it is so important? In essence, we can think of the internet as an interface for the transmission of our various data, and all Internet activities revolve around data reception and transmission. We can see how essential the data is this way. Data is, in fact, more crucial than we realize. 

Some information is more valuable than everything evident in the world, worth hundreds of billions, if not billions, of dollars. We need measures to protect the data we communicate since it is so valuable. Data encryption, often known as coding, is one of these approaches to keep our data secure from snooping eyes on the internet. 

 

Because the internet is a public space, encryption is one of the most effective techniques to protect the data you send and receive over the internet. If you're not a tech guy, you might be unfamiliar with the term "coding." It is, nonetheless, a way of hiding the true form of our data, and its usage can be found in a variety of areas in our daily lives. 

Consider how crucial encryption is and how broadly it will be used. Yes, without data encryption, there would be no ATM system, no financial network, no online transactions, and no Internet development. Encryption may be readily safeguarded by transforming transparent data (easy to read) into opaque data (the readable form with some code). 

It is necessary for anyone who reads the data to decrypt it. This allows us to safeguard sensitive information by ensuring that other people (hackers) are unable to decrypt it and its contents. For example, if you want to send a letter to a friend that contains some sensitive information that no one wants to know and that you want to keep safe, you can encrypt it so that even the person who reads it will not comprehend it. Will demonstrate so that people can comprehend the message. Data encryption is used on the basis of this.

 

Working with data encryption necessitates the use of a critical component. It's an algorithm that encrypts data, transforms it from transparent to opaque, and stops it from infiltrating the data's content (even if a hacker has that information, he or she cannot understand it).

For encryption and decryption, the algorithm usually requires one or more keys (a string of keys for encrypting and decrypting information) (except classical algorithms). This key can be thought of as a password that allows you to read encrypted data. The transmitter will encrypt the information into an opaque form with the encryption key, and the receiver will encrypt the information into an opaque form with the decryption key.

However, a "third party" (hacker) without a decryption key can sometimes access the data by breaking the algorithm. As a result, no encryption scheme can be called secure indefinitely. The following principle determines the algorithm's security: if the volume of data and the cost of decrypting it is greater than the value of that data, the algorithm is considered secure.

 

There have been many different types of encryption technologies developed over time. Each has its own. Two popular encryption methods are Symmetric encryption and Asymmetric encryption.

Symmetric Encryption

In this type of encryption in which the encryption and decryption keys are the same (Use the same secret key for encryption and decryption). This is the most common way of encrypting data sent between two parties at the moment. Encryption and decryption keys are the same; therefore, the sender and receiver must work together. 

To begin, the sender and receiver must agree on the secret key that will be used for encryption and decryption. Because a third party just has to know this secret key to decode the information, it must be transmitted in a secure manner (protected in some way).

Asymmetric Encryption

In this encryption, the encryption and decryption keys are different. That is, the key we use to encrypt the data and the key we use to decrypt the data will be different. Hackers can assess this type of public key, and they can use it to encrypt data. However, because the private key is only held by the recipient, the information can only be decrypted by the receiver.

 

The encryption algorithm converts data into ciphertext and uses the encryption key in such a way that the encrypted data can be decrypted using the decryption key. The encryption types serve as the foundation for the encryption algorithm, which is responsible for the encryption strength. Encryption strength is measured in bits. The following are some of the most often used encryption algorithms:

DES (Data Encryption Standard)

Now it is an outdated symmetric algorithm. DES is a Feistel cipher scheme with 16 rounds, plus an additional permutation initialized before round 1 and another initialized after round 16. 

3DES (Triple Data Encryption Standard)

It is a symmetric key algorithm.3DES increases the key size of DES by repeating the algorithm with three different keys three times in a row. So it has the name "triple data encryption." As a result, the total key size is 168 bits (3 times 56), which is too large for a brute force attack to crack.

AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)

AES encryption is fast and flexible. In theory, the only known successful attack against this method is the brute force attack.

RSA

One of the most used asymmetric encryption techniques is RSA. The difficulty of factoring two large primes is the basic notion for ensuring the security of RSA. In addition, because different systems require different public and private keys to provide confidentiality, different public and private keys must be generated.

Blowfish

Bruce Schneier created Blowfish, a symmetric encryption technique (64-bit cipher), in 1993. Blowfish has a key length range from 32 to 448 bits. Blowfish's features have been thoroughly investigated, and it is considered a powerful encryption algorithm.

RC4

RC4 is symmetric encryption in which each character of the plaintext (plaintext) is encrypted based on two parameters: the key and the character's position in the plaintext.

RSA and DSA are asymmetric encryptions. Symmetric encryption examples include RC4 and DES. 

According to how data encryption software is developed, encryption solutions are categorized as Data encryption at rest and Data encryption in transit.

Data Encryption at Rest

In this technology, data is encrypted at rest. Using software or another verification technique, all data on the device is encrypted and safeguarded. It commonly appears as a screen lock on a phone or laptop that requires a passcode number, password, or fingerprint. If you enable Data In Rest encryption on your device, all information and other data, including operating system files, are encrypted.

Data Encryption in Transit

Information that goes from one location to another through a network is referred to as transit data. When you send a message through a messaging app, for example, the message travels from your device to the app's server, then to the recipient's device.

End to End Data Encryption

This is the process by which the message sent by the user is converted into a special code (encryption) and then re-encrypted (encrypted) only on the phone or other devices of the person reading it. This means that none of the messages sent will be saved in their original form on the online server. Other messaging apps only encrypt messages. However, according to this encryption, the message can only be read by both the sender and the recipient. This prevents anyone other than the intended recipient from reading or understanding your messages, text, or files. 

When a person wants to send a message to another person, the information communicated can only be understood by that person and the message recipient, therefore when information is sent from one place to another in any form (text, photo, document, etc.), it is retained in a verifiable format. The sender and receiver buses are the only ones who have access to information.

 

Here we've mentioned the benefits of data encryption. Have a look to know why you must keep your data encrypted. 

Security

We're all concerned about data security, and therefore if your device is encrypted, no other user will be able to access your data even after you've received it, keeping your data safe. That is, when you encrypt the data on your device, it becomes extremely safe and secure, and it also prevents theft. This technology is an excellent method for securely sending sensitive data from one device to another.

Privacy

Because the data can only be read by the user who has the decryption key, data exchange between the user and the owner is possible without difficulty.

Integrity

When data is delivered over the internet, encryption ensures that the data is not tampered with in any manner and that the user receives the original file. This strategy is very important when it relates to data uniqueness.

Authentication

With authentication, it is possible to ensure that the information supplied is only coming from the user who should be receiving it. The origin is revealed through authentication.

Regulations

The government demands organizations that can keep data encrypted so that there is no security barrier for many of the reasons outlined above.

Your data will not open without the encryption key, even if it is taken due to a technical error. That is, No one can open your data without a unique key, even if it is stolen. So Protecting your data on your devices from encryption is a good idea. Since,

  • No one can open your data without a unique key, even if it is stolen.
  • They won't be able to use your encrypted info even if your system is hacked.
  • You can utilize this technology to safeguard your data's privacy and security.

Only the person to whom you reveal your encryption key will have access to your data using this method.

 

  • Encryption's main benefit is that it keeps digital data safe in a computer network.
  • Encryption protects against brute-force attacks, ransomware, data loss, and hacking.
  • Encryption is used for the protection of data in the event of data or device theft.
  • Encryption can be used to safeguard the website, and the chances of data being secure on a secure website are great.
  •  Safety for organization

The advantages of encryption are more clear for organizations in competitive industries. This keeps competitors from gaining access to information that they can use for business espionage. From employee names to expansion plans, you can keep secret information safe. Being technologically ahead of the curve is a crucial consideration. They should always be a step ahead of the computer crooks, who are constantly developing their technology. It's a benefit if a corporation hires people who have high intelligence and efficiency.

 

Encryption is equally essential for private individuals. Encryption's Advantages - Basic personal information, such as your home address or personal cell phone number, should be kept hidden. Identity thieves have access to your financial information, including your card details.

Encryption will also benefit those who exchange private messages, movies, and images. This is especially vital for public personalities such as politicians, who must divide their professional and personal lives. Private emails that were made public have ruined many careers.

 

Encryption is a method of converting data into a code that can only be detected by a user who has a special key. Encryption safeguards data from being stolen, hacked, or read while also allowing the information to be accessed by a secure user. No hacker or other unknown individual can listen in on the communication between two persons utilizing this technique. Due to this technology, we can keep our valuable information secret and hand it.  

Others. As a result, major security engineers and firms are implementing the technology. Any spy who keeps an eye on us 24 hours a day, seven days a week, will not succeed in his mission. This technology has shown to be incredibly successful and cost-effective in the rapidly increasing online world. Surely this is the asset of this technological world.

Antoniy Yushkevych

Antoniy Yushkevych

Master of word when it comes to technology, internet and privacy. I'm also your usual guy that always aims for the best result and takes a skateboard to work. If you need me, you will find me at the office's Counter-Strike championships on Fridays or at a.yushkevych@monovm.com