What is encryption?
Encryption is a strategy designed to store sensitive and personal information such as passwords, identity information, and credit card details. In this article, we will explain in detail what encryption is.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the key to encryption and how it can be critical for your organization's cybersecurity activities.
What is encryption?
Simply put, encryption refers to the practices that create ciphertext from straight lines. Plaintiffs are texts that are read and understood by third parties, while ciphertexts are scrambled texts that third parties cannot understand if they somehow manage to get their hands on this piece of information.
To understand a text you need to use a cipher or an encryption algorithm that selects the ciphertext and recreates the text.
To the naked eye, encrypted data can seem very random or even chaotic. In fact, it is ‘scrambled’ in a very regulated way in a controlled, predictable way.
How is encrypted data decrypted?
Recipients for the purpose of encrypted data can decrypt it using a key, an algorithm, a decoder, or something similar. If the data and encryption strategy is in the digital state, the intended receiver can use the corresponding decryption tool and acquire the information they need.
The thing used for decryption purposes can be called the key, cipher, or algorithm. Below you can find detailed information about each.
Cipher: The term cipher refers to algorithms that are used specifically for encryption purposes. A cipher contains a set of continuous steps at the end of which encrypted information is decrypted. There are two types of ciphers:
Algorithm: The algorithm is the method followed by the encryption process. There are different types of algorithms that are used to specifically encrypt files and data: Blowfish, Triple DES, and RSA.
In addition to algorithms and ciphers, brute force can be used to decrypt an encrypted text.
What are the different types of encryption?
There are various strategies employed for encryption. As a result, one may prefer different types of encryption. Below you can find detailed information about these different types.
Symmetric encryption: In this type of encryption, all communicators have the same key for encryption and decryption purposes.
Asymmetric encryption: Two different keys are used in this type of encryption. One is for encryption purposes and the other is for decryption purposes. One of these keys is shared publicly and the other is kept private. This is why asymmetric encryption is also known as universal key encryption. This particular type of encryption is also important for SSL (TLS).