Encryption, Its Algorithms And Its Future

Encryption is a cryptographic process that transforms readable data (plain text) into an unreadable format (ciphertext) using an algorithm called a cipher. Only authorized parties with the correct decryption key can convert it back to plain text. This ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and security of sensitive information during storage and transmission.

The components of Encryption are:

• Plaintext: The original, unencrypted message that is sent by the sender.
• Encryption Algorithm: The process used to transform plaintext into ciphertext, enhancing the security and reliability of the data.
• Encryption Key: The key used during the encryption process to convert plaintext into ciphertext.
• Ciphertext: The encrypted version of the plaintext, which can only be decrypted back to its original form with the appropriate key.

Features of Encryption

Encryption is a key component of cybersecurity, offering a strong framework for protecting communications and stored data against cyber threats. Its effectiveness lies in several core features that ensure secure handling of sensitive information.

• Confidentiality: Ensures only authorized individuals or systems can access data by converting it into unreadable ciphertext.
• Integrity: Prevents unauthorized alteration or tampering of data during storage or transmission.
• Authentication: Verifies the sender’s identity and confirms data originates from a trusted source, often through digital signatures.
• Non-repudiation: Prevents the sender from denying ownership or transmission of data, ensuring accountability.
• Access Control: Restricts data access to authorized users with the correct decryption key or credentials.

Types of Encryption

There are two types of key-based encryption algorithms: symmetric encryption algorithms (secret key) and asymmetric encryption algorithms (public key). Symmetric algorithms include AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), Triple DES, Twofish, and Blowfish, while common asymmetric algorithms include RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC).

Symmetric Encryption

Symmetric encryption is a type of encryption where the same key is used for both encrypting and decrypting data. This means that both the sender and the receiver must share a secret key in order to securely exchange information. The main advantage of symmetric encryption is its speed, as it typically requires less computational power compared to asymmetric encryption.

1. AES(Advance Encryption Standard)

Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a symmetric block cipher adopted by the U.S. government to secure sensitive data in both hardware and software. It uses fixed 128-bit block sizes with key lengths of 128, 192, or 256 bits. Unlike DES, AES is based on a substitution–permutation network (SPN) rather than a Feistel structure, making it faster and more secure.

2. Triple DES

Triple DES (3DES) is an enhanced version of DES, applying the algorithm three times with three keys for a total length of 168 bits, though its effective security is about 112 bits. Stronger than DES but slower in software, it is better suited for hardware. Today, it has been largely replaced by the faster and more secure AES.

3. Twofish

Twofish algorithm is successor of blowfish algorithm. It was designed by Bruce Schneier, John Kesley, Dough Whiting, David Wagner, Chris Hall and Niels Ferguson. It uses block ciphering It uses a single key of length 256 bits and is said to be efficient both for software that runs in smaller processors such as those in smart cards and for embedding in hardware .It allows implementers to trade off encryption speed, key setup time, and code size to balance performance.

4. Blowfish

Blowfish was created to solve the DES algorithm's problem. The algorithm is freely usable by everyone and has been released into the public domain. The technique uses a 64-bit block size, and the length of the key can range from 32 to 448 bits. It is the best permutation technique for cipher-related encryption and operates on the Feistel structure using a 16-bit round cipher. The information in the Blowfish algorithm is encrypted and decrypted using a single key.

Asymmetric Encryption

Asymmetric encryption (public-key encryption) uses a mathematically linked key pair, a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. The private key cannot be derived from the public key, making it highly secure. Unlike symmetric encryption, it enables safe key exchange since the private key is never shared.

1. RSA ( Rivest, Shamir and Adleman)

RSA is an asymmetric encryption algorithm named after its creators. It is based on the mathematical difficulty of factoring large composite numbers. The algorithm uses a key pair: a public key for encrypting plaintext and a private key for decrypting ciphertext. By keeping the private key secret, RSA ensures secure communication and remains one of the most trusted methods for data protection.

2. Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC)

Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) is an asymmetric encryption technique that relies on the mathematics of elliptic curves to provide strong security with much smaller key sizes compared to traditional algorithms like RSA. This efficiency makes ECC faster and more suitable for devices with limited processing power, such as smartphones and IoT systems. It is widely used in secure communications, digital certificates, and cryptocurrencies, where both performance and security are critical.

3. Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA)

Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA) is an asymmetric algorithm designed specifically for creating and verifying digital signatures rather than encrypting data. It ensures authenticity by confirming the identity of the sender and integrity by verifying that the data has not been altered during transmission. DSA provides non-repudiation, meaning the sender cannot deny their involvement once a signature is generated. It is commonly used in authentication processes, software distribution, and digital certificates.

Benefits and Challenges of Encryption

While encryption aims at securing the digital data and assets it also comes with its own set of challenges, here's a table summarizing them both

Future of Encryption

The future of encryption will focus on addressing challenges such as quantum computing and cloud security. Emerging technologies like quantum-resistant algorithms, homomorphic encryption, BYOE, and honey encryption will enhance data protection, privacy, and scalability.

• Bring Your Own Encryption (BYOE): Allows organizations to use their own encryption methods and manage keys instead of relying on cloud providers, ensuring greater control and privacy over cloud-stored data.
• Homomorphic Encryption: Enables computations on encrypted data without decryption, protecting sensitive information during processing and supporting secure data analysis and cloud computing.
• Quantum Cryptography: Uses quantum mechanics rather than mathematical complexity to secure communications. Techniques like Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) provide strong protection against interception and are resistant to quantum computer attacks.
• Honey Encryption: Produces realistic but false data when incorrect keys are used, misleading attackers and adding an extra layer of security for highly sensitive information.