The process of converting data or information into a secure format using an algorithm, making it unreadable to unauthorized users. Encryption uses cryptographic keys to transform plain text into ciphertext, which can only be decoded and accessed by someone with the correct decryption key, protecting the data from unauthorized access.
Encryption is a fundamental technique in cybersecurity and data protection, used to protect sensitive information such as personal data, financial transactions, and communication over networks. Common encryption algorithms include AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman), and DES (Data Encryption Standard).
There are two primary types of encryption: symmetric and asymmetric.
Symmetric Encryption uses a single key for both encryption and decryption. The key must be securely shared between parties, as anyone with access to the key can decrypt the data. Symmetric encryption is generally faster and suitable for large volumes of data. AES is a commonly used symmetric encryption standard.
Asymmetric Encryption uses a pair of keys—one public and one private. The public key encrypts the data, and only the corresponding private key can decrypt it, making it suitable for secure communications without the need to share a private key. RSA is a widely used asymmetric encryption algorithm.