Data Encryption

As technology continues to advance, safeguarding sensitive information has become paramount. This is where data encryption steps in as a robust solution to protect data from prying eyes. Encrypting data can be another obstacle for malicious foreign actor that might obtain the data or safeguarding different level of sensitivity data at different level of encryption, as we mention if previous articles different data need to be handled in different ways. It’s all part of the big picture of organization information security management system we build to protect our valuable data. But what exactly is data encryption, and how does it work to secure our valuable information?

Understanding Data Encryption

Data encryption is a technique used to transform plain, readable data into ciphertext through the application of algorithms and encryption keys. This process ensures that even if unauthorized individuals gain access to the encrypted data, they would be unable to interpret it without the corresponding decryption key. In essence, data encryption acts as a secure lock, making information unreadable to those without the right key.

The Encryption Process

At its core, data encryption relies on encryption algorithms to jumble the original data into an unreadable format. The transformation involves converting plaintext (original data) into ciphertext (encrypted data) using a specific mathematical process. This transformation is reversible, meaning the encrypted data can be decrypted back into its original form using the decryption key.

Various encryption algorithms exist, each with its own strengths and use cases. Some commonly used encryption algorithms include the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Data Encryption Standard (DES), and Triple Data Encryption Algorithm (3DES). The selection of an encryption algorithm depends on factors like security level requirements, computational efficiency, and specific use cases.

Encryption Keys

At the heart of data encryption lies the encryption key, a unique piece of information used in conjunction with the encryption algorithm to perform the encryption and decryption processes. The encryption key serves as the digital “lock and key” mechanism. The sender uses an encryption key to lock the data into ciphertext, and the recipient uses the decryption key to unlock and access the original information.

Keys come in different sizes and strengths, typically measured in bits. Longer key lengths generally offer higher security, as they increase the complexity and computational effort required to crack the encryption. The key size is a crucial consideration in choosing an encryption algorithm, as it directly impacts the level of security provided.

The Role of Public Key Infrastructure – PKI

Asymmetric encryption algorithms, such as RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), rely on the concept of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). In PKI, each user has a pair of keys – a public key and a private key. The public key is shared openly, allowing others to encrypt data to send securely to the user. However, only the user possessing the corresponding private key can decrypt and access the encrypted data. This system ensures secure communication and authentication in the digital realm.

Use Cases and Importance of Data Encryption

Data encryption plays a critical role in various applications and industries. Some common use cases of data encryption include:

• Secure Communications: Encrypting emails, messaging apps, and online transactions to safeguard sensitive information during transmission.
• Data Protection: Securing confidential data like personal records, financial information, and medical records to prevent unauthorized access.
• Secure Cloud Storage: Encrypting data stored on cloud platforms to ensure data privacy and compliance with data protection regulations.
• Secure Data Sharing: Safeguarding shared data between organizations or individuals to maintain data confidentiality.

Pursuit of Stronger Encryption

The need for robust data encryption becomes more crucial than ever. Organizations and individuals must stay vigilant in their pursuit of implementing the latest encryption standards and best practices to thwart potential attacks. Regularly updating encryption algorithms, key sizes, and security protocols ensures data remains secure against emerging threats.

List of Data Encryptions

Below is a list of data encryptions with mode of operations, key size, estimated performance speed, estimated security level some use cases and whether the encryptions is asymmetric or symmetric.

Name	Key Size (bits)	Mode of Operation	Performance (Speed)	Security Level	Use Cases	Symmetric/Asymmetric
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)	128, 192, 256	CBC, ECB, CTR, GCM, etc.	Fast and Efficient	High	Secure data transmission, storage, VPNs, cloud	Symmetric
Data Encryption Standard (DES)	56	ECB, CBC, etc.	Slow	Low	Legacy systems, backward compatibility	Symmetric
Triple Data Encryption Algorithm (3DES)	112, 168	ECB, CBC, etc.	Slower	Medium-High	Legacy systems, financial transactions	Symmetric
RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman)	1024, 2048, etc.	RSA encryption	Slower	High	Secure key exchange, digital signatures, HTTPS	Asymmetric
Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC)	160, 256, etc.	ECC encryption	Fast and Efficient	High	Mobile devices, IoT, SSL/TLS	Asymmetric
Diffie-Hellman Key Exchange (DH)	Variable	Key Exchange	Depends on Implementation	High	Key exchange for secure communication	Asymmetric
Blowfish	32-448	ECB, CBC, CFB, OFB, etc.	Moderate	Medium-High	File encryption, secure communications	Symmetric
Twofish	128-256	ECB, CBC, CFB, OFB, etc.	Moderate	High	File encryption, secure communications	Symmetric
RC4 (Rivest Cipher 4)	Variable	Stream Cipher	Fast	Medium	Wireless networks, SSL/TLS	Symmetric
RC5 (Rivest Cipher 5)	Variable	Block Cipher	Moderate	Medium	Network protocols, secure communications	Symmetric
RC6 (Rivest Cipher 6)	Variable	Block Cipher	Moderate	High	Data encryption in software and hardware	Symmetric
Serpent	128-256	ECB, CBC, CFB, OFB, etc.	Moderate	High	Data encryption in various applications	Symmetric
Skipjack	80	ECB, CBC, CFB, OFB, etc.	Moderate	Medium	Secure communications and key exchange	Symmetric
IDEA (International Data Encryption Algorithm)	128	ECB, CBC, CFB, OFB, etc.	Moderate	Medium	File and data encryption	Symmetric
Camellia	128-256	ECB, CBC, CFB, OFB, etc.	Fast	High	Data encryption, secure communication	Symmetric
ChaCha20	128, 256	Stream Cipher	Very Fast	High	Secure communication, disk encryption	Symmetric
Salsa20	128, 256	Stream Cipher	Very Fast	High	Wireless communication, disk encryption	Symmetric
GOST (Government Standard Encryption Algorithm)	256	ECB, CFB, OFB, etc.	Fast	High	Russian government communications, data protection	Symmetric
CAST-128	128	ECB, CBC, CFB, OFB, etc.	Moderate	Medium-High	Encryption in software and hardware	Symmetric
CAST-256	128-256	ECB, CBC, CFB, OFB, etc.	Moderate	High	Data encryption, secure communications	Symmetric
SEED (KISA’s SEED Encryption Algorithm)	128	ECB, CBC, CFB, OFB, etc.	Fast	High	Secure communication, file encryption	Symmetric
HC-128 (Hongjun Wu’s stream cipher 128-bit)	128	Stream Cipher	Very Fast	Medium	Encryption in software and hardware	Symmetric
HC-256 (Hongjun Wu’s stream cipher 256-bit)	256	Stream Cipher	Very Fast	High	Encryption in software and hardware	Symmetric
ARIA (Advanced Encryption Algorithm)	128, 192, 256	ECB, CBC, CFB, OFB, etc.	Fast

Some of those columns might be personal experience or general idea or wide estimation, like performance which depended on many factors or security level which depend on other key factors as well. however here’s the general idea of the above table columns:

1. Key Size: Key size refers to the number of bits used in the encryption key. Longer key sizes generally offer higher security as they increase the complexity and computational effort required to crack the encryption. Common key sizes for encryption algorithms include 128, 192, 256 bits, and more.
2. Mode Of Operation: Mode of operation determines how an encryption algorithm encrypts and processes data blocks. Various modes, such as Electronic CodeBook (ECB), Cipher Block Chaining (CBC), Cipher Feedback (CFB), and Output Feedback (OFB), offer different security levels and performance characteristics.
3. Performance: Performance in data encryption refers to the speed and efficiency of the encryption algorithm. Some algorithms are faster and more efficient, while others may have higher computational overhead, impacting the time it takes to encrypt or decrypt data.
4. Security: Security level represents the strength of the encryption algorithm against potential attacks. Higher-security algorithms provide better resistance to brute-force attacks and cryptanalysis, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of encrypted data.
5. Use Cases: Use cases describe the practical applications and scenarios where a specific encryption algorithm is commonly employed. Different algorithms may be more suitable for certain use cases, such as secure communication, data storage, file encryption, or key exchange.
6. Symmetric or Asymmetric: This column indicates whether the encryption algorithm is symmetric or asymmetric. Symmetric encryption uses the same key for both encryption and decryption, while asymmetric encryption employs a pair of keys (public and private) for encryption and decryption, respectively.