What is Data Encryption? Encryption Methods, Levels of Encryption & more

Encryption is the process that converts the information or data into a secret code, that hides the original information and can only intended recipients can read it. An encrypted message or information requires a key to decrypt it. This protects the information from being read by the third party. And by using modern encryption techniques, extracting the original data without the key is nearly impossible.

Max all of us use encryption in one form or another way every day, you might think How? Okay, you all have a satellite tv service and guess what, that content is totally encrypted. Have you ever created a Zip file with a password? Yes, even that is also called encrypting the data. And even the software updates which we get on our smartphones and other smart devices are totally encrypted. And you all know Whatsapp uses an End to End encryption, to keep your data safe from hackers.

METHODS OF DATA ENCRYPTION

Two of the most broadly utilized encryption strategies are Public key (asymmetric) encryption and Private key (symmetric) encryption. The two are comparable as in the two of them permit a client to encode information to conceal it from others, and afterward, unscramble it so as to get to the first plaintext. They differ, however, in how they handle the steps between encryption and decryption.

PUBLIC KEY ENCRYPTION:

Public Key or asymmetric encryption uses the recipient’s public key as well as a (mathematically) matching private key.

For example, if Kiran and Sheela both had keys to a box, with Kiran having the public key and Sheela having a matching private key, Kiran could use his key to unlock the box and put things into it, but he wouldn’t be able to view items already in there, nor would he be able to retrieve anything. Sheela, on the other hand, could open the box and view all items inside as well as removing them as she saw fit by using her matching private key. She could not, however, add things to the box without having an additional public key.

PRIVATE KEY ENCRYPTION:

Where Private Key or symmetric encryption differs from Public Key encryption is in the purpose of the keys themselves. There are still two keys needed to communicate, but each of these keys is now essentially the same. 

For example, Nikith and Venky both possess keys to the box, but in this scenario, the keys do the same thing. Both of them are now able to add or remove things from the box.

ENCRYPTION CAN BE PERFORMED AT FOUR LEVELS:

File system-level encryption - 

Allows PC users to encrypt registries and individual records or files. File-level encryption utilizes programming specialists, which interrupt read and write calls to disks and use policies to see if the data needs to be decrypted or encrypted.

Full disk encryption - 

Consequently changes data on a hard drive into a form that cannot be decrypted without the key. Databases stored on the hard drive are encrypted along with any other data or information.

Database encryption - 

The whole database, or parts of it, can be encrypted to make the data secure. Encryption keys are stored and managed by the database system.

Application-level encryption - 

Data is encoded by the application that modifies or generates the information before it is kept in touch with the database. This makes it possible to customize the encryption process for each user, based on user roles and permissions.

IMPORTANCE OF DATA ENCRYPTION

Digital security is getting progressively important to ensure us as we bank, as we shop, and as we convey. Furthermore, at the center of that security lies encryption. As our lives progressively move on the web, everybody ought to accomplish more to improve the computerized security of information, not less. Our computerized world is continually under attack by cybercriminals.

ENCRYPTION is a Part of pretty much every assistance or gadget we use to live our lives on the web. Consistently, frequently without us in any event, monitoring it, encryption keeps our own information private and secure. Encryption is a vault that makes sure about our own data that is held by organizations and government offices. It is a lock that forestalls character criminals from taking our data when we sign on to our financial balances. It is an additional layer of security to shield our basic frameworks. What's more, it is a protected envelope that shields programmers from perusing our personal data.

The utilization of encryption keeps on increasing, with more than 33% of organizations in a single ongoing study announcing that their association utilizes encryption widely.

Government rules around patent information, money related exchanges, and shopper data, habitually expect organizations to encode the information they hold.

Now let’s talk about some free open-source software tools to encrypt your data. And before jumping into that let’s talk about some tips to manage your passwords like an expert and make them unbreakable

1.    Set unique and solid passwords, which contain various characters, similar to capitalized and lowercase letters and numbers, and are in excess of 15 characters in length.

2.    Additionally, you'll have to set passwords that are difficult to recollect or figure and aren't utilized for more than one online record.

3.    To improve your online security, you ought not to keep your passwords spared in content documents or programs;

4.    Never use/reuse a similar secret word for more than one record;

5.    Try not to share your passwords in messages, texts or other online platforms.

APPS or SOFTWARE TOOLS TO ENCRYPT DATA:

LAST PASS: 

This app is developed for all platforms like windows, android, and ios. Probably its one of the most mainstream password manager tools out there, LastPass can be utilized for free with limited features, but will still secure your passwords and personal data. Using an encryption software tool like this one, you’ll no longer have to remember or note a password in a notebook or any other place.

FileVault 2: 

Hoping to encrypt your information stored on gadgets featuring macOS. FileVault 2 is a free encryption programming device that I recommend checking out.

DiskCryptor: 

One more open-source and free encryption software you can use to protect your drive, including ISO images, or USB flash drives or some other storage gadgets.