Cybersecurity is one of the most critical business aspects you should take seriously. The main reason is that you need to protect your company data. That’s why your business needs to learn about cryptography as part of your cyber security. Cryptography in cybersecurity protects your company data by breaking them down into codes. When you encrypt your data, only the people who know the password can access it, making it a good security feature.
This article will cover everything you need to know about cryptography. Read the following sections to learn how to elevate your cyber security features in this digital age.
What is Cryptography?
For you to learn about cryptography, start with understanding further what it is. Cryptography is a method that secures crucial data. This security method uses codes that only the people who are the intended recipients know how to decipher. Think about Morse codes; you probably get a general idea of how cryptography works. However, the only difference of cryptography from Morse codes is that you can specify a limited number of recipients.
The best thing about cryptography, though, is the sender and receiver are always prompted when someone accesses the data. This constant notification always brings you in the loop if someone accesses your network.
Types of Cryptography
There are different types of cryptography to bolster security and offer other options. The idea behind providing multiple types is to give users a choice of which method to use. Learn about cryptography more by understanding every kind on the list below.
Symmetric Cryptography
Cryptography uses cryptographic keys to access encrypted data. In symmetric cryptography, the sender and recipient use the same cryptographic key. Since these keys have unique compositions, the key you use to encrypt data is also the key that can decrypt it.
This cryptographic method is beneficial for sharing data within the same enterprise. Symmetric cryptography is your best option if you want to relay crucial information to your team.
Asymmetric Cryptography
Contrary to the first type, Asymmetric cryptography uses two separate cryptographic keys. This method is ideal for public networks since you do not have to be near the recipient when you hand the key.
Compared to symmetric cryptography, this asymmetric method offers an effective alternative. If the encryption key gets lost, you’re still safe if you have the decryption key.
Hash Functions
Hash functions, or Cryptographic Hash Functions (CHF), involve turning data into a hash. This cryptography method essentially turns text into code. In a nutshell, once you use hash functions, you turn the data into code.
Like the methods mentioned earlier, the data you input can be encrypted using hash functions. This method is perfect if you want to protect specific data and not want anyone to know its contents.
Benefits of Using Cryptography
By encrypting your files and other crucial information, you’re lessening the risk of exposing these things. However, that’s just an introduction to how it could benefit your brand once you learn about cryptography. Here are more benefits of cryptography:
1. Verifying Authenticity
Information exchanged online can sometimes be untraceable. Since you can copy and paste everything and claim them as your own, the origin of those files can be challenging to trace. Cryptography allows the recipients and senders to confirm each other’s identities, eliminating the guesswork that other files require.
2. Adding Degree of Confidentiality
Confidentiality is one of the most apparent benefits of cryptography. This method turns regular data into something inaccessible by someone who doesn’t have the right key. This benefit means you can rest assured that your intended recipient is correct.
3. Giving Assurance
An underlying factor cryptography affects other than security is integrity. Integrity refers to how reliable the data and the storage systems are. Those two were commonly classified as data integrity and system integrity. Data integrity refers to how accurate and reliable the data itself is. System integrity is about how secure and stable the storage systems are.
4. Providing Non-repudiation Assurance
Non-repudiation assurance refers to providing senders with proof of delivery and receivers with proof of origin. Cryptography boasts transparency and the ability to determine encrypted file trajectories.
5. Making Resources Available
You can enjoy the availability of resources through cryptography. Without fear of anyone intercepting your data, you can send any information you like to the person you specifically want to receive it.
Common Applications Of Cryptography
Now that you have learned about cryptography in cyber security, it’s time to enumerate specific applications where you can use security features. Here are some of those apps.
Safe Web Browsing
Sometimes, visiting websites can be tricky because they require you to input your credentials. Cryptography helps secure your web browsing by encrypting the credentials you input.
One of the most crucial data you and others have is your login credentials. Some hackers steal these pieces of information and use them for their benefit. You can enjoy safe web browsing because of cryptography and its advanced encryption techniques.
Authentication Functions
One of the easiest ways cryptography affects authentication is through your login credentials. Once you log in, you are then given an authentication token. You can then use this authentication token to verify your identity.
Cryptography enters the picture by creating a unique authentication tied to your login credentials. Aside from securing your data, cryptography also encrypts the data, making a special code for you.
End-to-End Encryption
End-to-End encryption refers to the process of cryptography that makes data only available to the intended recipients. This process is the primary function of cryptography, and it bolsters the security of any business.
This function is where the types of cryptography discussed earlier fall under. You can use symmetric, asymmetric cryptography, or hash functions to encrypt your data as the sender.
Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies require added security since it deals with confidential information. The encryption and decryption methods cryptography provides can help secure this crucial information.
From the moment you log in until you conduct trades, you can feel safe that cryptography protects these functions.
Computer Logins
Every login you make using your computer can benefit from cryptographic methods. If your computer contains crucial data, you can use cryptography to secure it further. That means only you can access your computer with your passwords as the decryption key.
Bottomline
Cryptography offers an extra layer of security on top of the existing security features for computers and websites. The best thing about this method is only the intended receiver can access the encrypted files. Cryptography is your business’ best choice if you’re looking for a more secure way of protecting your data.
This article covered the things you need to learn about cryptography. That includes various cryptography types and their typical applications.
Advanced solutions and guidance are essential in securing your company data. SecureBrain offers expert solutions to boost your security systems. Give us a call today to explore how we can provide tailored and practical solutions to keep your business information safe from modern cybersecurity threats.