Do you think your data is safe online?
If you answered no, then you are correct.
Whether it’s personal information, financial records, or confidential business data, it’s crucial that you ensure sensitive information is protected from unauthorized access. Especially if you own a business.
Enter data encryption, the unsung hero of online security.
You’ve probably seen those two words in many texts, but do you know what’s behind them? Or what types of data encryption are there? Can you train your staff to employ it?
We’ve got you.
In this article, we’ll cover all the basics and help you train your team to handle all encryption-related situations.
Ready?
What is Data Encryption?
Data encryption is a security process that transforms readable data, known as plaintext, into an unreadable format, called ciphertext. This is done via a specific algorithm and an encryption key. It ensures that the information remains confidential and that only individuals who possess the corresponding decryption key can access or understand it.
When data is encrypted, it is scrambled in such a way that it appears as random characters. This essentially makes it useless to anyone who does not have the correct key to decrypt it back into its original form. It’s a crucial strategy for mitigating cybersecurity risks.
You can use data encryption for various purposes. For example:
- securing online communications, like emails and messaging
- protecting stored data, such as files on a computer or cloud storage
- ensuring the safety of financial transactions and other confidential information
It is a fundamental tool in maintaining data privacy, securing sensitive information, and complying with regulatory requirements. It’s also crucial in ensuring the safety of outsourced projects.
Types of Data Encryption Techniques
Let’s break those down:
Symmetric Encryption
Symmetric encryption is a method where the same key is used for both encryption and decryption. This type is known for its speed and efficiency, making it ideal for protecting large amounts of data. Some common symmetric encryption algorithms include:
- Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) – one of the most widely used encryption standards globally. It supports key sizes of 128, 192, and 256 bits, providing a high level of security. You can use it in various situations, including secure communication, file encryption, and data protection.
- Data Encryption Standard (DES) – used to be the standard for encryption, using a 56-bit key. However, it has been largely replaced by AES due to vulnerabilities to brute-force attacks.
- Triple DES (3DES) – a step above DES; means applying the encryption process three times with different keys. It has also been largely phased out in favour of AES, as it is slower.
Symmetric encryption is commonly used in applications where speed is critical. For example, in encrypting data in transit.
Asymmetric Encryption
Asymmetric encryption, also known as public-key cryptography, features one crucial difference:
It uses a pair of keys – a public one for encryption and a private one for decryption. This method is more secure than its symmetric counterpart, as the private key is never shared. Common asymmetric encryption algorithms include:
- Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) – relies on the computational difficulty of factoring large integers. You can use it to secure data transmission, digital signatures, and public key infrastructure (PKI).
- Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) – uses the mathematics of elliptic curves to create smaller, faster, and more efficient keys. It is particularly favoured in mobile devices and applications where computational power is limited.
Asymmetric encryption is often used in scenarios where secure key exchange is crucial. Think SSL/TLS for securing web communications. We’ll do a deeper dive into that, too:
Encryption Standards and Protocols
The standards and protocols we’re about to discuss define how encryption should be implemented to ensure maximum security. They are vital for maintaining data privacy and integrity.
The most popular ones are easily Secure Sockets Layer / Transport Layer Security (SSL/TLS). These are protocols that provide secure communication over the internet. They use a combination of symmetric and asymmetric encryption to ensure that data transmitted between a client and a server remains confidential. The S in https signals that the website you’re using has an SSL certificate. TLS succeeded SSL and is widely used in securing web traffic, email, and instant messaging.
Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) is also quite popular. This is a suite of protocols designed to secure internet communication by encrypting IP packets. It is commonly used in virtual private networks (VPNs) to provide secure remote access to corporate networks.
SSH (Secure Shell) is a cryptographic network protocol that you can use to securely access and manage remote servers and devices over an unsecured network. For example, the internet. SSH provides a secure channel through which data can be exchanged between a client (the user’s computer) and a server. This ensures confidentiality and integrity of the communication.
As you can probably guess, you’ve surely encountered one of those protocols when using the internet, as they are the most popular.
Encryption Tools and Software
If you need to deal with large amounts of work-related data – and who doesn’t? – it’s a good idea to get a suitable encryption tool. It will not only help employees but also enable you to meet various compliance requirements.
However, the market is a bit oversaturated with such software. That makes it hard to choose the right one. You’ll need to consider:
- The purpose of the tool
- Your budget
- The company’s size
- Ease of use
- Available customer support
Make sure to choose a reputable provider that also offers frequent updates. The best way to decide which tool is best for you is to check user reviews. Remember to filter them to show the most recent first!
We recommend you check out:
- AxCrypt Premium
- Folder Lock
- Advanced Encryption Package
- EncryptionSafe
- NordLocker
If you need help with the available software or need a custom one:
We at Expert Allies specialise in finding the right talent at the right time.
Considerations When Employing Data Encryption
There’s no denying it:
Data encryption is a powerful and vital part of any cybersecurity strategy.
However, its effective implementation requires careful planning and consideration of various factors.
There are several things to consider when employing data encryption to ensure that it serves its purpose. They include:
- Choosing the right encryption algorithm – involves balancing security requirements with performance needs. The best way is to have a clear idea about the purpose of the encryption algorithm.
- Compliance and regulatory requirements – the key to adhering to requirements such as GDPR, HIPAA, etc., is understanding them. We have a whole guide about that.
- Performance impact – encrypting data can introduce overhead in terms of processing power and latency, particularly for companies that handle large volumes of data or require real-time access. You’ll need to find a balance between security and performance.
- Backup and recovery – if backups are not handled correctly, encrypted data could become inaccessible. It’s also crucial to ensure that backups are also encrypted.
- Legal compliance – some countries have specific laws regarding the use of encryption, such as requiring that encryption keys be provided to government agencies upon request. Make sure to research those carefully.
Train Your Team to Employ Encryption
Your employees should understand when and how to use encryption tools. A good example is encrypting emails or files before sharing them. Providing clear guidelines and training can help ensure that encryption is used effectively.
Also, make sure to focus on the importance of passwords. Many encryption methods rely on the user having strong ones. Your staff should know how to create and manage secure passwords to avoid common pitfalls. For example, easily guessable passcodes or reusing words and phrases across multiple systems.
In addition, your employees must be able to recognize phishing attempts and other social engineering tactics. Wrongdoers often use those to trick people into revealing encryption keys or other sensitive information. It’s a good idea to teach them about the importance of password managers.
Last but not least, prepare the team to respond effectively if an incident occurs. You’ll have to create a response plan, assigning roles and responsibilities for handling encryption-related issues. Introduce the procedures for recovering encrypted data, including retrieving backup keys and restoring files from backups.
Keep in mind:
This is not a one-time activity. You’ll need to schedule periodic refresher courses and advanced training sessions to keep the team updated on new encryption technologies, tools, and best practices.
Wrap Up
Training your team on how to employ data encryption effectively is crucial for maintaining the security of sensitive information.
You’ll need to cover the basics of encryption, familiarize your employees with the tools and practices they will use, and prepare them to respond correctly to incidents. You’ll also have to make sure they keep their software up to date.
Remember:
Regular updates and continuous learning will keep your team prepared to handle new challenges and ensure the success of your cybersecurity strategy.
FAQ
What is the purpose of encryption?
The purpose of encryption is to ensure the integrity of information, safeguarding it from unauthorized access, tampering, and theft. It is key for securing communications and complying with data protection regulations.
How effective is encryption?
If implemented correctly, encryption is highly effective. It makes it nearly impossible for unauthorized parties to access or decipher the information without the proper decryption key.
How is encryption done?
Encryption means using an algorithm to transform simple (plain) text data into an unreadable format, called ciphertext, based on a specific encryption key. Simply put, tools scramble your information, and only those with the corresponding decryption key can revert it to its original form.
