Information security is one of the main corporate concerns, as leaked internal information can cause unprecedented damage to business.

We know that cyber attacks are growing alarmingly at the same rate as technological advances. Every day, criminals create new malicious activities and new ways to breach the confidentiality of business systems to profit, consequently causing damage to organizations that are not properly protected.

The good news is that there are countless strategic and smart tools to protect corporate data, such as encryption - which is the topic of today's article.

Want to discover what this solution is about, what the main available types are, and how to find the most suitable one for your business? Read on and find out!

Data Encryption - What is it and what is it for?

The term “encryption” derives from two Greek words: “Kryptos”, which means “hidden”, and “Gráphein”, which means “to write”. 

In practice, encrypting involves a series of techniques to encode information, ensuring that only the sender and the receiver of the information can understand it. 

In computing, users use cryptographic keys, which are sets of bits organized in algorithms capable of encoding and decoding data. Therefore, if the receiver uses a different key from the sender, the information becomes incomprehensible. 

Each cryptographic key reveals a secret number that modifies an encryption algorithm, functioning similarly to a pin-tumbler lock, each with several possible positions. 

Thus, when the key is inserted, the pins move in specific directions, and if the positions are not compatible, the door does not open.

In summary, encryption has two basic functions: the first is to prevent stored and transmitted data from being read by unauthorized users; the second is to ensure that information is transmitted securely, preserving its confidentiality and integrity.

What Types of Messages Can Be Encrypted?

Considering that computers have the ability to store, process, and send information in bits (an acronym derived from the words binary digit, or “BInary digiT", which represents any type of data), all digital info can undergo encryption. Among the most commonly encrypted are email messages, videos, audios, files saved on the computer, messages transmitted by mobile apps and forwarded through 4G or Wi-Fi, and much more.

What Are the Main Computer Systems That Use Encryption?

Several computer systems use encryption to ensure the security, privacy, and integrity of transmitted information. The main systems that use this tool are:

• Communication systems, such as HTTPS, SSL/TLS, SSH, and VPN use encryption to secure communication between devices and servers, preventing the interception of information and its reading by third parties;

• Electronic financial transactions, such as credit card payments that use encryption to secure the transfer of sensitive financial data;

• Authentication systems, such as security tokens and passwords, use encryption to keep user access information secure and prevent hackers from accessing their accounts;

• Devices like storages, flash drives, hard drives, or memory cards use encryption to store data securely and prevent information from being stolen or accessed by unauthorized people;

• Blockchain systems, used in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, use encryption to ensure the security and confidentiality of transactions.

What are the Main Types of Encryption?

There are different types of encryption available on the market and, to discover which is the most suitable for your business, it is necessary to know them and identify their features and complexities.

A tip for finding the ideal type of encryption for your organization is to consider the number of bits: the higher the number of bits, the more keys are possible to decrypt a document, making hacking more difficult and increasing the level of security.

Discover in the next topics what the main types of encryption are:

Symmetric Key

Considered the simplest encryption technique, the symmetric key uses a single key to encrypt and decrypt information.

In other words, in this model, the key is shared by both the sender and the receiver of the message, so it is essential to keep it secret.

Generally, it is used by email services, which resort to the tool to shield the privacy of the content of messages sent by users, ensuring that only the authorized recipient(s) can have access to the presented texts and attachments.

Asymmetric Encryption (Public Key)

Considered more advanced, more robust, and more effective, asymmetric encryption (also known as public key encryption) uses two different keys to encrypt and decrypt information.

While one key is public and can be shared with any user, the other is confidential and must be kept secret.

Therefore, it is undeniable that this solution promotes an extra dose of security to the processes. 

In addition, it can be integrated with HTTPS (the main protocol used to send data between a web browser and a website), being, for this reason, widely used in issuing digital certificates, user authentication in digital banks, and e-commerce registrations.

Hashing

Hashing is an encryption technique that transforms data into a fixed-size string of bits, generating a hash value or code that seems random and, therefore, is not readable or interpretable. 

This technique operates based on a mathematical function which, when applied to data, generates a unique number.

Unlike symmetric and asymmetric encryption, hashing is irreversible, meaning that it is not possible to recover the original data from the hash. Its main feature is to verify the integrity of information rather than hiding the content of messages.

In practice, hashing applies a calculation to a file or message and produces a hash. If the resulting hash of a compared file or message is the same, this indicates that the content has not been altered. 

This technique is widely used to ensure data integrity, such as in file integrity checks and password authentication.

AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)

It is one of the most secure encryption algorithms today, being used even by the United States Government and also by various security organizations. It encrypts in 128-bit blocks, but keys can also be applied in 192 and 256 bits, making this key extremely difficult to break in conventional cyber attacks.

DES (Data Encryption Standard)

This is one of the most basic models, having been one of the first to be created (by IBM in 1977) and implemented. Consequently, it is one of the most widespread worldwide, as it provides basic protection of only about 56 bits, offering up to 72 quadrillion combinations.

This method can be cracked using a technique called "brute force." In this case, a program constantly and automatically tests all key possibilities for consecutive hours. Since it is a basic protection system, it offers reduced security for the user.

IDEA (International Data Encryption Algorithm)

Created in 1991, this is a symmetric key that operates on 64-bit blocks of information and uses 128-bit keys. It acts in a distinct way, generating a sort of confusion to cipher host-text, protecting information and preventing realignment to read it correctly. Its structure is very similar to DES.

SAFER (Secure and Faster Encryption Routine)

In this model, encryption is done in 64-bit blocks. It is not uncommon for users to find it under the name SAFER SK-64. However, it is an encryption in which many experts found several weaknesses, leading to the development of new, more complex options like SK-40 and SK-128 bits.

Does Encryption Guarantee 100% Data Security?

It is worth highlighting that there is a difference between encryption and security. Therefore, encrypted information is not always completely secure, and protecting it with this technique does not prevent possible hacker attacks. 

Even so, it is an effective way to prevent some users from accessing certain files.

What Is the Most Suitable Type of Encryption for Your Business?

To answer this question, first, it is necessary to analyze your company's data confidentiality level.

Protecting who accesses data, how they access it, and with what privilege levels, as well as the passwords and keys used, makes a difference in combating data breaches.

Additionally, your organization may need extra protection to secure information of employees, partners, and clients, implementing not only encryption but also other protocols related to cybersecurity.

This choice can also be guided by specialized professionals who will conduct an assessment of potential workflow vulnerabilities and then seek strategies to boost your company's information security.

As we have seen, discovering the best type of encryption for your organization ensures efficiency in the process, minimizes the risk of issues, and allows your operations to run more securely. 

If you want to implement security measures that go beyond information encryption, CodeBit offers services and products suited to business needs.

Click here, access the website, and discover all the tailor-made services offered, developed by a team of highly competent specialists prepared to guarantee data security in your organization! 

Keep an eye on the CodeBlog. 

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