Importance of Data Encryption
Weekly Newsletter

Introduction

The need for protection is greater than ever because data is now easier to access and more appealing to attackers. In addition, many firms must comply with data protection regulations, many of which specifically calls for the usage of encryption.

Encryption contributes to data integrity in addition to the obvious advantages of improved security, privacy protection, and preventing illegal access. In addition to guarding against unauthorized change, encryption can be used to confirm the legitimacy and source of data.

Encryption Solutions

Data encryption is a technique for ensuring the confidentiality of data by encoding it into ciphertext, which can only be decoded using a special decryption key that is either generated at the moment of encryption or previously. To make sure that keys are only given to or used by authorised users, data encryption is frequently used in conjunction with authentication services during data storage and transfer.

Depending on how and by whom data is meant to be accessed, several types of encryption are employed.

Symmetric encryption (Private Encryption Key)

A single, private key is used for both encryption and decryption in symmetric encryption. It is quicker than asymmetric encryption and is most effective when employed by one person or in closed settings. The transfer of the key is necessary when using symmetric methods with numerous users in open systems, like across a network, and thus presents a risk of theft. AES is the most widely used kind of symmetric encryption.

Asymmetric Encryption (Public Encryption Key)

Asymmetric encryption uses paired public and private keys that are mathematically linked and can only be used together. Either key can be used to encrypt data but the paired key must be used to decrypt it. Asymmetric encryption is used by multiple users and across open networks, like the Internet, because the public key can be freely shared without risking data theft. The most commonly used types of asymmetric encryption are ElGamal, RSA, DSA, and PKCS.

Solutions that allow an organisation to adopt encryption broadly are known as data encryption solutions. Advanced encryption algorithms are included, as well as management tools for deploying encryption, managing keys and passwords, establishing access controls, and keeping track of how encryption is used throughout the company.

Data encryption programs must be user-friendly or, even better, entirely transparent so that no human intervention is required for the encryption of sensitive data. Additionally, they must be extremely scalable to handle increasing data quantities and swift to assure little to no influence on worker productivity.

The following are important characteristics to look for in a data encryption solution:

Strong encryption standards – AES, which uses a 256-bit key, is currently the industry standard for encryption.

Data encryption at rest – Data encryption at rest refers to data stored at rest on file servers, databases, staff workstations, and cloud storage. To encrypt sensitive data, the solution must be able to access all of these data storage places.

Data encryption in transit – The solution should be able to use transport layer security (TLS), an encrypted protocol that ensures message authenticity and prevents eavesdropping, to encrypt data transmissions.

Granular controls: the solution should enable the organization’s sensitive data to be encrypted just when it is necessary, rather than requiring encryption of all data repositories. It may, for instance, permit the encryption of particular file types, programs, storage devices, or directories.

Key management – It is a crucial aspect of managing encryption. The solution should make it simple to create encryption keys, send them to the owners of the data, back up those keys, and destroy them when access is denied.

Enforcement – Policies must be automatically enforced, and solutions must enable organisations to set encryption policies. For instance, actions like emailing or saving a file to portable storage may be prohibited until the employee encrypts the information.

Always-on encryption – Many solutions provide for the encryption of important files, ensuring that it is maintained everywhere the files go, including whether they are copied, emailed, or changed.

Conclusion

Knowing how data encryption works and what your options are can help you minimize your risks and protect your most valuable assets.

Major Privacy Updates of the Week

canada flag

2023 Canada private-sector privacy law reform: Keeping track of moving parts.

Canada is strengthening provincial and federal laws for privacy.

Not only the authorities are being given more power, but also more stringent compliance requirements being placed on corporations. 

Read more

air force

Air Force Wants to Add Facial Recognition to Automated Base Entrance.

The U.S. Air Force may launch a facial recognition program for granting access to its bases Scott Air Force Base already has an automated system for approving vehicle access, but officials considered facial recognition as a way of enhancing security and speed for approving access for individuals on a specific day to a base.

The Air Force seeks “algorithms that can both verify that a person’s face matches the ID they present,” or one-to-one verification. 

Read more

Importance of Data encryption

Hackers steal files from Pennsylvania health care nonprofit, San Francisco transit police.

Pennsylvania health care nonprofit Maternal and Family Health Services announced hackers stole “sensitive” patient medical and financial information in a “sophisticated ransomware incident.”

The organization serves approximately 90,000 patients and claimed to have found out about the attack in April 2022, but MFHS could have been attacked as early as August 2021, per an investigation by “an unnamed forensic incident response firm.” 

Read more

N C

Governor Cooper Signs Executive Order to Protect State’s Information Technology Infrastructure.

Governor Roy Cooper signed an Executive Order prohibiting the use of certain applications and websites on state devices including computers and mobile phones.

The Order directs the state Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) to develop a policy within 14 days that prohibits the use of TikTok, WeChat and potentially other applications on state agency information technology systems in a manner that presents an unacceptable cybersecurity risk. 

Read more

Certified Company

Privacy by Design to become an ISO standard next month.

The International Organization for Standardization will adopt ISO 31700 on privacy by design. The new standard will not be a conformance standard when it first comes online.

It features 30 requirements and guidance on privacy-by-design principles for effectuating consumer rights, relevant roles and authorities, privacy control designs and more. 

Read more

Curated by: Prajwala D Dinesh, Ritwik Tiwari, Ayush Sahay

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