Data Encryption: Top 7 Algorithms and 5 Best Practices

What Is Data Encryption?

Encryption is a method of data masking, used to protect it from cybercriminals, others with malicious intent, or accidental exposure. The data might be the contents of a database, an email note, an instant message, or a file retained on a computer.

Organizations encrypt data to ensure it remains confidential. Data encryption is a component of a wider range of cybersecurity counter-processes called data security. Data security involves ensuring that data is protected from ransomware lockup, malicious corruption (altering data to render it useless) or breach, or unauthorized access.

Encryption is also employed to safeguard passwords. Password encryption processes jumble up your password, so that cybercriminals can’t read it.

How Does Encryption Work?

When information is shared via the internet, it passes through a set of network devices from around the world, which comprise a section of the public internet. To stop information from being exploited or stolen, users may install network security software or hardware to secure the transfer of information.

These security tools encrypt data so that it is unreadable to anyone without an appropriate decryption key. Encryption necessitates the conversion of human-readable plaintext to ciphertext, which is text that is incomprehensible.

Encryption uses a cryptographic key, a series of mathematical values agreed upon by the recipient and sender. The recipient makes use of the key to decrypt the information-thus converting it into its original plaintext.

The complexity of the cryptographic key determines the level of security. Stronger encryption makes it harder for third parties to decrypt data using brute force attacks.

Data Encryption Types

Symmetric vs Asymmetric Encryption

Encryption techniques can be classified according to the type of encryption key they use to encode and decode data:

• Asymmetric encryption: This method is also called public-key cryptography. It encrypts and decrypts the information utilizing two distinct cryptographic asymmetric keys (a private key and a public key).
• Symmetric encryption: This method utilizes one private key for decryption and encryption. Symmetric encryption works faster than asymmetric encryption and is most suited for use by individuals or in a closed system.

Data Encryption in Transit vs Data Encryption at Rest

Data encryption solutions are often categorized according to whether they are intended for data in transit or data at rest.

• In-Transit Encryption: Data is deemed to be in transit when it moves between devices. Encrypting data during the transfer process, called end-to-end encryption, ensures that if data is intercepted, it remains private.
• At-Rest Encryption: Data is labeled at rest when it remains on a storage device and is not being transferred. Encrypting data at rest minimizes the possibility of data theft as a result of lost or stolen devices.

Top 7 Encryption Algorithms

1. Blowfish: This symmetric cipher organizes messages into units of 64 bits and encrypts them one by one.
2. Twofish: Utilized in both hardware and software applications, it makes use of keys up to 256 bits in length.
3. Triple DES: Encrypts, decrypts, and re-encrypts using DES three times and produces a longer key.
4. The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES): Encrypts blocks of data (of 128 bits). Offers three options for key lengths (128, 192, and 256 bits).
5. Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA): An asymmetric encryption algorithm. It relies on two large prime numbers for security.
6. Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC): Fast and powerful, it utilizes shorter key lengths while providing superior security.
7. Common Criteria (CC): A series of international guiding rules for checking that product security claims are resilient under testing.

5 Data Encryption Best Practices

Build a Data Security Strategy

• Know the regulations that apply to your organization.
• Choose the encryption tools that best meet your organization’s data needs.
• Use a strong encryption algorithm that adheres to international standards.
• Implement effective decryption key management practices.
• Regularly audit your data for security irregularities.

Choose the Right Encryption Approach for Your Data

Consider the worst-case scenario when deciding which data to encrypt and ensure sensitive information is always protected.

Control All Access to Your Data

Limit access to encryption keys based on job roles and ensure data is encrypted according to access controls.

Encrypt Data in Transit

Use VPNs and other secure methods to safeguard data being transferred over the internet.

Build a Data Backup Strategy

Store decryption keys securely and maintain backups of all files, keeping keys separate from backup files.