Cryptography is fundamental to many information security and privacy mechanisms. Today, a variety of cryptographic algorithms are used in many different applications.
This article explains cryptography: how it works, key principles or operations of cryptography, types of cryptography, use cases and more!
Cryptography can refer to any approach that hides real information, using codes, to prevent reading by unauthorized parties. Cryptography can protect:
Cryptography increasing relies on mathematical concepts a set of encryption algorithms and hashing algorithms to transform information in a way that is difficult to interpret or crack.
For example, suppose communication between two parties is secured using cryptographic principles. The senders message is typically known as the Plaintext. It is transformed into an unreadable format called Ciphertext using the encryption key. When the receiver gets the messages, the Ciphertext is transformed into plaintext using the decryption key.
Lets now turn to the principles that underpin cryptography.
Confidentiality agreements have rules and guidelines to keep the information secure and private. Confidentiality must be protected using techniques like encryption. It ensures that only authorized people can access the information at certain places and it restricts access to other unauthorized parties.
(Confidentiality is one component of the CIA security triad.)
The process of confirming that the person who sent a specific message is the sender of that message. This principle ensures the receiver receives the message from a sender who is permitted to do so. Two common authentication mechanisms are:
Encryption is the process of transforming information into an unreadable format using an encryption algorithm to protect the privacy of the information. Only the receiver can read them using the decryption key.
(Read our end-to-end encryption explainer.)
The data should be consistent and accurate without any alterations while in transit from the sender to the receiver. Data integrity ensures that no manipulation has been done to the data during its lifecycle using techniques like cryptographic hashing.
The non-repudiation principle ensures that the message sender cannot repudiate the authenticity of his signature using techniques like digital signatures.
Key management is the process of maintaining cryptographic keys. It includes tasks like key distribution, generation, rotation, etc. Key management is vital to ensuring the maximum security of a cryptography system as its security heavily relies on cryptographic keys.
There are three major types of cryptography. Lets get to know them in this section.
Symmetric-key cryptography involves encrypting and decrypting using the same cryptographic keys. Here, the sender and all receivers share a common secret key. The plaintext messages are transformed into cipher text using a particular encryption key. The receiver can use the same encryption key to decrypt the message using the shared secret key.
Examples of symmetric-key encryption algorithms include:
The major drawback of this symmetric-key encryption is sharing the secret key. The shared secret must be encrypted to prevent unauthorized access. It can be an additional overhead for cryptographic applications.
This type of cryptography, known as "public-key cryptography," uses different cryptographic keys for the encryption and decryption processes. The sender and the receiver have a private key and a public key:
Though there is a mathematical connection between these private key and public key pairs, the public key cannot generate the private key.
Public key cryptography is commonly used in digital signatures for message authentication. Senders use their private keys to digitally sign their messages to prove their authenticity. Thus, the receiver knows exactly that the sender is a trusted third party.
Of the variety of asymmetric (or public key) cryptography algorithms, here are some examples:
Hash functions compute a fixed-length hash value or a fingerprint on the plain text message. These hashes are unique to each plaintext. Therefore, this type of cryptography does not use a cryptographic key. Hash functions help ensure data integrity between communicating parties. If the hash produces the same output, it indicates that the information has not been altered, compromised or damaged.
Hash functions are used in many cryptographic algorithms and protocols, including MAC algorithms, digital signature algorithms, and authentication protocols. Some of the most common hashing algorithms include:
In addition to the three major cryptography types, hybrid encryption is another type used to secure data and communications.
Hybrid encryption combines public-key cryptography with symmetric encryption for data encryption. This cryptographic type generates a private key and encrypts it using the public key. Then the complete message with the encrypted private key will be encrypted with the original symmetric key. The encoded message can be decrypted only if the recipient knows the original private key.
Hybrid encryption performs randomization for the encryption so that no two messages will have the same ciphertext. It makes the encryption more secure.
With the concepts explained, lets turn to the most common use cases of cryptography what are people actually using cryptography for?
Storing passwords like database passwords in plain text is risky anyone who can access the password storage can read them. Instead, such passwords are encrypted or hashed using a hashing algorithm as a security best practice. Whenever the system refers to it, it will be hashed and compared to the hashed value.
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum use cryptographic algorithms such as elliptic-curve cryptography, hash functions and many more to maintain the security and privacy of transactions. Blockchain nodes are secured with cryptography to let users securely trade with other users.
(Whats the state of blockchain today?)
Digital signatures are one of the applications of public key cryptography that provide authenticity and data integrity. The sender generates a unique signature using the private key and attaches it to the document, which needs to be verified using the public key.
Organizations generate significant volumes of data (upwards of 2.5 quintillion bites per day). Storing that can be a risk. Encrypting data in storage makes it more secure and prevents data leakage. Most cloud solutions nowadays provide encryption options along with storage options, including backup drives.
Additionally, automatic encryption can be enabled when data is in transit to the storage and while at rest.
Cryptography has enabled secure communications over the internet by encrypting communication protocols. For example, using HTTPS in the URL indicates connecting to a secure website that encrypts the data. It is particularly useful for payment gateways, where a secure communication channel needs to be created to avoid the leakage of sensitive information.
Another example is the SSH protocol that most people use for tunneling and remote login.
Most organizations use file encryption to protect email communications, including sensitive conversations and attachments. For example, S/MIME encryption and Microsoft 365 message encryption are used to secure Microsoft 365 email messages. Additionally, PGP/MIME (Pretty Good Privacy/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) is another popular type of email encryption supported by Yahoo, AOL and Android devices.
Weve already named these in this article, so lets take a brief look at how some common cryptographic algorithms work.
The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a symmetric encryption algorithm used by many governments worldwide. It was established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the U.S.
The key sizes of the AES block cipher can be 128, 192, and 256 bits, and encryption happens in blocks of 128 bits each. Considered a strong cryptographic algorithm, more secure than DES and Triple DES, AES is unbreakable by many attacks.
The RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) algorithm is an asymmetric encryption algorithm invented by Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir and Leonard Adleman in 1978. It is used to encrypt data and communications over the internet and for email encryption.
However, there are still several exploitable vulnerabilities in the RSA. For example, researchers were able to crack a key 768-bit RSA algorithm. It is recommended to use 2048 bits as the key length.
The Triple Data Encryption Standard (DES) provides more security than the standard DES algorithm by using three passes of the DES rather than one. The security of standard DES was found to be less secure than AES. It uses 56-bit length keys.
ECC is a public-key encryption technique that uses the algebraic architecture of elliptic curves with finite fields and uses encryption, signatures, and key exchange. ECC is used in applications like online banking, email encryption, and secure payments.
(Check out our elliptcal curve cryptography explainer.)
Cryptography is the heart of security and privacy mechanisms worldwide. It transforms plain-text data into ciphertext in an unreadable format using encryption algorithms. As technology advances, well see growth in more kinds of cryptography. For example, homomorphic encryption is a fledging technology. And then consider what quantum computing might mean for encryption.
This posting does not necessarily represent Splunk's position, strategies or opinion.
Read more from the original source:
Cryptography 101: Key Principles, Major Types, Use Cases ... - Splunk
- Nexus Of Mathematics, Cryptography, Blockchain Will Redefine Technological Innovation Expert - New Telegraph Newspaper - May 15th, 2024
- What is the purpose of post-quantum cryptography? - Security Boulevard - March 21st, 2024
- Quantum Computing and Networking Poised to Revolutionize Cryptography - BroadbandBreakfast.com - March 21st, 2024
- TM Technologies and Quantum Resistant Cryptography Team Up to Increase Speed and Security of 5G/6G, Satellite ... - Yahoo Finance UK - March 5th, 2024
- Cryptology | Definition, Examples, History, & Facts | Britannica - February 1st, 2024
- What Is Moore's Law, And How Does It Impact Cryptography? - Blockchain Magazine - January 24th, 2024
- Federal agencies take 'most important' first step with inventorying cryptography ahead of quantum migration, OMB ... - FedScoop - December 11th, 2023
- What is Cryptography? - Cryptography Explained - AWS - January 30th, 2023
- What is Cryptography? Definition, Importance, Types | Fortinet - January 22nd, 2023
- What is cryptography? How algorithms keep information secret and ... - CSO - January 22nd, 2023
- What is Cryptography? Definition from SearchSecurity - January 22nd, 2023
- System.Security.Cryptography.CryptographicException: The payload was ... - December 28th, 2022
- NIST Action Will Heat Up Post-Quantum Cryptography Market: Report - TechNewsWorld - December 12th, 2022
- Global Encryption Day: Why quantum-safe cryptography is the future of cybersecurity - World Economic Forum - October 23rd, 2022
- Post-Quantum Cryptography: Anticipating Threats and Preparing the Future - ENISA - October 23rd, 2022
- Cracking the code of cryptography and life The Irish Times - The Irish Times - October 15th, 2022
- Dutch influence standards for post-quantum cryptography - ComputerWeekly.com - October 15th, 2022
- Castle Shield Holdings, LLC Updates the Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Algorithms for Its Data-in-Motion Aeolus VPN Solution - Business Wire - October 15th, 2022
- Yale increases investment in blockchain research - Yale Daily News - October 15th, 2022
- OPPO joins the FIDO Alliance, accelerating the arrival of a new era of passwordless sign-ins - Yahoo Finance - October 15th, 2022
- It's Time To Trust Crypto. Here's Why. - Entrepreneur - October 15th, 2022
- Algorand (ALGO) on its journey to breach the $0.4 mark! - CryptoNewsZ - October 15th, 2022
- Crypto Hackers Gross Over $3 Billion From 125 Hacks so Far This Year Featured Bitcoin News - Bitcoin News - October 15th, 2022
- Bitt and IDEMIA: Winners of the G20 Central Bank Digital Currency TechSprint 2022 - Yahoo Finance - October 15th, 2022
- White House Releases First-Ever Comprehensive Framework for Responsible Development of Digital Assets - Lexology - October 15th, 2022
- The Web3 Foundation taps edX for free courses on blockchain and Polkadot - Cointelegraph - October 15th, 2022
- CoinGeek Weekly Livestream: Jad Wahab and Marcin Zarakowski discuss honest nodes and their role in Bitcoin - CoinGeek - October 15th, 2022
- What Is Cryptography? Definition & How It Works | Okta - October 7th, 2022
- What Is Cryptography in Cyber Security: Types, Examples & More - October 7th, 2022
- Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) is Officially an Internet Standard, Says The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) - bitcoinke.io - October 7th, 2022
- Cloudflares post-quantum cryptography protects almost a fifth of the internet - VentureBeat - October 7th, 2022
- Nobel Prize in Physics goes to scientists who paved the way for quantum computing - Space.com - October 7th, 2022
- The 2nd Annual Encryption Consulting Conference is Back! - PR Newswire - October 7th, 2022
- Quantum Computing And The Threat Posed To Bitcoin - The Dales Report - October 7th, 2022
- Cryptocurrency users with gambling affinity are more involved mentally and financially than non-gambling users - PsyPost - October 7th, 2022
- Cardano (ADA) and Algorand (ALGO) Are Two Blockchains To Watch Next Bull Cycle, Says Coin Bureau Here?... - The Daily Hodl - October 7th, 2022
- The Guardian view on the Rosetta Stone: a monument to code-breaking - The Guardian - October 7th, 2022
- Still think everything is awful? Here are three reasons for hope - Colorado Newsline - October 7th, 2022
- Sleep Disorders And Quantum Cryptography Win Big At The Breakthrough Prizes 2023 - IFLScience - September 29th, 2022
- Lecturer in Cryptography job with KINGS COLLEGE LONDON | 310005 - Times Higher Education - September 29th, 2022
- Microsoft venture fund M12 invests millions in advancing cryptography and 'smart contracts' - OnMSFT.com - September 29th, 2022
- Sectigo's Chief Strategy Officer and CISO Advisor David Mahdi Accepted To Fast Company Executive Board - StreetInsider.com - September 29th, 2022
- Fundamental Cryptography in Theory and Python - iProgrammer - September 21st, 2022
- Web Crypto API - Web APIs | MDN - Mozilla - September 21st, 2022
- Cryptomathic appoints Laurent Lafargue as CEO of the pioneer in cryptography - FinanceFeeds - September 21st, 2022
- Blockchain and POW are the leading technology behind Bitcoin. - Deadline News - September 21st, 2022
- NTT Research Names Takashi Goto Head of the Technology Promotion Team - Business Wire - September 21st, 2022
- Investigating the Use of Blockchain to Authenticate Data from the Statistics Canada Website - Statistique Canada - September 21st, 2022
- 6 Technological Innovations in the New York Sports Betting Industry - Qrius - September 21st, 2022
- EMVCo reports on the future of contactless payments - NFC World - September 13th, 2022
- Quantum eMotion to Present at the H.C. Wainwright 24th Annual Global Investment Conference in New York - Digital Journal - September 13th, 2022
- The emerging role of cybersecurity in the automotive sector - The Financial Express - September 13th, 2022
- Jack Dorseys Web5 is a solution to a problem thats already been solved - VentureBeat - September 5th, 2022
- What is Cryptography in security? What are the different types of ... - September 5th, 2022
- RKVST Launches RKVST Free and RKVST Team SaaS Supply Chain Integrity, Transparency and Trust Solution - Business Wire - September 5th, 2022
- The United States Is Behind the Curve on Blockchain - War on the Rocks - September 5th, 2022
- $3.7 Billion Worldwide Blockchain in Retail Industry to 2027 - Featuring Cognizant, Infosys and Oracle Among Others - ResearchAndMarkets.com -... - September 5th, 2022
- Research Fellow in Applied Cryptography And Data Security job with UNIVERSITY OF SURREY | 306274 - Times Higher Education - August 28th, 2022
- ASPG, Inc. Announces Release of CryptoZ, Innovative New z/OS Cryptography Reporting and Administration Sy - Benzinga - August 28th, 2022
- UN: monitoring the use of cryptography can make the Internet safer - The Cryptonomist - August 20th, 2022
- Keyfactor Named to the 2022 Inc. 5000 List for Third Consecutive Year and Recognized as the Fastest Growing PKI and Cryptography Leader in America -... - August 20th, 2022
- Cryptography 101: Giving a framework to the brimming blockchain businesses of India - Times of India - August 20th, 2022
- Godfather of Crypto expresses concerns over current state of blockchain privacy - CryptoSlate - August 20th, 2022
- Nine Benefits of FIDO Authentication | HYPR - Security Boulevard - August 20th, 2022
- Now That Authorities Have Sanctioned Tornado Cash, Is Bitcoin Next? - Bitcoin Magazine - August 20th, 2022
- Meet the world's first carbon-negative blockchain - wknd. - August 20th, 2022
- 'FutureFi': Crypto is transforming the green finance universe | Greenbiz - GreenBiz - August 20th, 2022
- Philippine Regulator Warns the Public of Engaging With Foreign Crypto Service Providers Regulation Bitcoin News - Bitcoin News - August 20th, 2022
- What Is Cryptography: Definition and Common Cryptography Techniques - August 12th, 2022
- What is Cryptography? Types of Algorithms & How Does It Work? - August 12th, 2022
- What is Cryptography? - Kaspersky - August 12th, 2022
- Former Google CEO: Bitcoin is a remarkable achievement of cryptography - The Cryptonomist - August 12th, 2022
- Protect your privacy with cybersecurity and cryptography - Geeky Gadgets - August 12th, 2022
- Saving Private Keys From The Courts - Bitcoin Magazine - August 12th, 2022
- NTT Research and NTT Corporation Engage in Breakthrough Research at Crypto 2022 - Business Wire - August 12th, 2022
- Can WhatsApp messages be secure and encryptedbut traceable at the same time? - EurekAlert - August 12th, 2022
- Why 2023 is the year of passwordless authentication - TechTarget - August 12th, 2022
- Sony unveils a new way to protect images from theft, manipulation - Popular Photography - August 12th, 2022
- Cameron Whitehead wins again, taking top honors in the CyberForce Program's Conquer the Hill Reign Edition Competition - EurekAlert - August 12th, 2022
- Criminals steal $4 million from Solana as theft trend hits its crypto blockchain - SC Media - August 12th, 2022