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Encryption

Encryption secures digital data by encoding it mathematically through cryptography so that only those with the correct key or password can read it. There are different types of encryption like asymmetric which uses different keys for encryption and decryption, and symmetric which uses one key. Encryption protects sensitive information for individuals and companies and underlies security for cryptocurrencies.

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Nadeem Mahmood
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42 views

Encryption

Encryption secures digital data by encoding it mathematically through cryptography so that only those with the correct key or password can read it. There are different types of encryption like asymmetric which uses different keys for encryption and decryption, and symmetric which uses one key. Encryption protects sensitive information for individuals and companies and underlies security for cryptocurrencies.

Uploaded by

Nadeem Mahmood
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ASSIGNMENT

All About Encryption!


Name: M. Faizan Rashid
Class: 1st Year ICS
College No: 8070
What Is Encryption?
Encryption secures digital data using one or more mathematical techniques
known as cryptography. The information input becomes unreadable through
encryption as an algorithm converts the original text, known as plaintext, into
an alternative form known as cipher text.

When an authorized user needs to read the data, they may decrypt the data
using a binary key or password. This will convert cipher text back to plaintext
so that the user can access the original information.

Encryption is an important way for individuals and companies to protect


sensitive information from hacking. For example, websites that transmit credit
card and bank account numbers encrypt this information to prevent identity
theft and fraud.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

 Encryption secures digital data by encoding it mathematically through


cryptography so that it can only be read, or decrypted, by those with the
correct key or password.
 Digital encryption uses an algorithm that makes the original information
unreadable.
 Encryption is crucial in a digitally-connected world to keep private
information, messages, and financial transactions private and secure.

How Encryption Works


Encryption strength depends on the length of the encryption security key. In
the late 20th century, web developers used either 40-bit encryption, which is
a key with 240 possible permutations, or 56-bit encryption.

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ASSIGNMENT
All About Encryption!
By the end of the century, hackers successfully broke those keys, leading to
a 128-bit system as the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption
length for web browsers. Created in 2001 by the U.S. National Institute of
Standards and Technology, key lengths of 128, 192, and 256 bits are
available. Most banks, militaries, and governments use 256-bit encryption.1

Encryption underlies the security and functionality of decentralized crypto


currencies, such as Bit coin.

Types of Encryption
Asymmetric Encryption

Asymmetric cryptography is used when increased security is the priority over


speed and when identity verification is required. This type of encryption is
used for digital signatures when signing an online document and in block
chain to authorize transactions for crypto currency. 

Asymmetric-key algorithms use different keys for the encryption and


decryption processes. Types of asymmetric encryption include RSA and PKI.

RSA is a popular algorithm used to encrypt data with a public key and decrypt
it with a private key for secure data transmission. Public key infrastructure
(PKI) governs encryption keys through the issuance and management of
digital certificates.

Symmetric Encryption

Symmetric encryption is used when speed is the priority over increased


security and uses one secret symmetric key to both encrypt the plaintext and
decrypt the cipher text. This encryption is commonly used in credit card
transactions.

Types of symmetric encryption included Data Encryption Standards (DES), a


low-level encryption block cipher algorithm that converts plain text into blocks
of 64 bits and converts them to cipher text using keys of 48 bits, and
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), the gold standard for data encryption
and is used worldwide as the U.S. government standard.

Benefits of Encryption

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ASSIGNMENT
All About Encryption!
Encryption protects the confidentiality of digital data stored on computer
systems or transmitted over the internet. As organizations rely on hybrid and
multi-cloud environments, public cloud security and protecting data across
complex environments is a concern.

Cloud service providers are responsible for the security of the cloud, but
customers are responsible for security within the cloud, especially the
security of any data. An organization’s sensitive data must be protected while
allowing authorized users to perform their job functions. This protection
should not only encrypt data but also provide robust encryption key
management, access control, and audit logging capabilities.

Businesses and consumers benefit from encryption and benefit from security
at the file, database, and application levels for on-premise and cloud data.
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard {PCI DCS} requires
merchants to encrypt customers' payment card data when it is both stored
and transmitted across public networks.

What Is the Difference Between a Public Key and a


Private Key in Encryption?
In asymmetric encryption cryptography, one public and one private key are
used to encrypt and decrypt data. The public key can be disseminated
openly, while the private key is known only to the owner. In this method, a
person can encrypt a message using the receiver’s public key, but it can be
decrypted only by the receiver's private key.

What Is Hashing In Cryptography?


Hashing functions are an essential part of cybersecurity and some
cryptocurrency protocols such as Bitcoin. Hashing converts any form of data
into a unique string of text. It is a mathematical operation that is easy to
perform, but difficult to reverse. The average user encounters hashing daily in
the context of passwords. When an email address and password are created,
the email provider does not save the password, but runs the password
through a hashing algorithm and saves the hash of the password. Every time
there is a sign-in to email, the email provider hashes the password entered
and compares this hash to the hash it has saved. When the two hashes
match, email access is granted.

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ASSIGNMENT
All About Encryption!
What is Cryptographic Failure?
A cryptographic failure is a security vulnerability that exposes sensitive data
on a weak or non-existent cryptographic algorithm such as passwords,
patient health records, business secrets, credit card information, email
addresses, or other personal user information.

In 2013, hackers attacked Target Corporation and managed to compromise


the information of up to 40 million credit cards. Although the credit card
information was encrypted, the hackers’ sophistication still broke through the
encryption and is regarded as one of the largest breaches of its kind in U.S.
history, leading to an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service and the Justice
Department.

The Bottom Line


Encryption is essential to keep private information, messages, and financial
transactions private and secure in a digital world. It protects the confidentiality
of digital data stored on computer systems or transmitted over the internet.
Various types of encryption techniques are available including the Advanced
Encryption Standard (AES), the gold standard for data encryption, used
worldwide and the U.S. government standard.

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