Nearly every business around today relies on easy file transfer services to keep operations running smoothly. As important as this service is, it is becoming more and more difficult for companies to protect the information that is transferred over their networks from the effects of cyber crime. Over the last year, more small and large businesses have been the victims of a cyber attack than ever before. With cyber crime on the rise, it is critical for businesses to boost security of their file transfer services in order to protect sensitive company and customer data from being stolen. Encryption is one of the most basic and traditional methods used to secure file transfer services.
What is Encryption?
For years, people have been using cryptographic methods to hide secret messages. It is constantly used by military intelligence personnel in order to keep the enemy from intercepting private information, and many young children use cryptography without even knowing it to make up secret languages with their friends. Encryption uses this essential cryptographic method of disguising data to protect information that is shared over a network. During encryption, a secret key is used to hide the true meaning of a message. This key could be as simple as moving each letter in a word back one space in the alphabet. This same key could then be used to decrypt the message. The trick is that only people with the secret key are able to encrypt or decrypt the information.
Symmetric vs Asymmetric Encryption
There are two basic types of encryption: symmetric and asymmetric. With symmetric encryption, there is only one secret key involved. This key is used to both encrypt and decrypt the message. This is the most traditional form of encryption, although it is not considered the safest. Asymmetric encryption uses two keys: a private and a public key. The two keys go together, and the message can only be encrypted or decrypted with the proper pairing of keys. The private key is known only by one person and is used to decrypt information, while the public key is made available to anyone so that they can encrypt the information. Since two keys are involved, this is considered a more secure method of encryption.
As the threat of a cyber attack is ever present in today’s interconnected world, it is crucial for all businesses to ensure the safety of their private data. Encryption is one way that a company can prevent sensitive messages from being decoded by unauthorized users. More on this.
