Encryption is a fundamental concept in cybersecurity that must be implemented in every organization. The act of encrypting makes sure that the data you store and the data you transmit are secure and unaltered at every stage. Most people know they need encryption, but many people don't have a legitimate knowledge of what happens during the process and how it is utilized to protect your data. Read below to learn about the fundamentals of encryption and how it can benefit your business!
At the most basic level, encryption is the translation of ordinary, readable data into an encoded format. Encryption ensures that the data is only accessible if the work of decryption is done. This is easiest way to ensure data is kept private and unaltered.
When you send data over the internet, that data has to pass through multiple network devices worldwide that you have no control over. Encryption ensures that if that data is intercepted by a compromised device or third-party attacker it is safe from prying eyes.
The process of encryption starts when data is either sent or stored, using software or hardware with encryption capabilities to convert human readable text into what is called "cyphertext". This cyphertext is unreadable to the human eye and takes a tremendous amount of computing power to decipher. This ensures that if an attacker does intercept your data on the wire, they can't actually access it. In order to access the data that has been encrypted one would need a "cryptographic key". This key is the only thing able to safely and efficiently access the encrypted data. Encryption can also be used to protect your passwords. When you login to an application or account those login credentials are often encrypted when they are sent to the server of the application you're trying to access.
There are two main encryption techniques: Symmetric encryption and Asymmetric encryption.
As mentioned above, in order to decrypt data that has been changed into cyphertext you'll need a cryptographic key. Symmetric encryption, also known as private key encryption, uses the same key to both encode and decode data that has been encrypted. This form of encryption is best used in closed systems or between two individuals. Symmetric encryption isn't recommended outside of these areas as it is considered insecure if intercepted by an attacker. On the other hand, symmetric encryption is much faster than asymmetric.
Asymmetrical encryption is a slower yet more secure technique used in encryption. Asymmetric encryption uses two different keys, both a public and private key. The private key is used by the owner of the data, while the public key is made available to only the recipient. These keys are paired to each other to allow for decryption, but they aren't identical.
An encryption algorithm is necessary for deciphering data from an encrypted form. These algorithms set the rules of how data is converted from plain text into unrecognizable ciphertext. Using an encryption key these algorithms can take an encrypted form of data and convert it into readable text and vice versa. These algorithms are essential to the process, without them you'd never be able to transmit and obtain data reliably.
Some common forms of encryption algorithms include:
Not only are the benefits of encrypting your data numerous, but the process of encryption is absolutely necessary for securing a modern business. Firstly, encryption makes sure both data in transit and resting data are secured and unaltered. Data in transit includes any data sent off and received from various hosts on or off the network. This is the type of data attackers are most likely to intercept.
Resting data is any data stored on your network or in the cloud that is just sitting there. This could include files, backups, or other data that is mean to simply be stored. Encryption makes sure that if an attacker is able to breach your network the data, they get is unreadable.
Encrypting also ensures the integrity of data and makes sure that it isn't altered or injected with malware in transit. A common tactic that bad actors will use involves intercepting data in transit, injecting malicious code into the data and sending it down the line. When the recipient open or interacts with the data they unwittingly open themselves up to attack. While not the same concept as encryption, "hashing" is often used to assign a piece of data with a unique value or code to ensure it hasn't been altered on the path to its destination.
CorpInfoTech is a managed service provider that specializes in providing IT and security solutions to SMBs. We offer a variety of services including firewall management, vulnerability management, security assessments, and managed compliance. As part of our managed service stack, we offer encryption services to ensure your data is protected during transmission and at rest. Our backup solutions are similarly secure and offer protection against the most advanced threats. For a trusted partner that can ensure data integrity, look no further than CorpInfoTech.
Data without encryption is compromised more often — seven million unencrypted data records are compromised every day (Varonis)
CorpInfoTech can help your organization implement end-to-end encryption on your network to better protect your private data. Contact us today to start bolstering your security posture.