Cryptography is the art and science of secure communication in the presence of adversaries. It involves transforming information into an unreadable format, making it impossible for unauthorized individuals to access or understand. This transformation process is called encryption, and the reverse process of converting encrypted information back to its original form is called decryption.
How Cryptography Works in Cyber Security:
- Confidentiality: Cryptography ensures that only authorized individuals can access sensitive information. For example, encrypting financial transactions prevents hackers from stealing credit card details.
- Integrity: Cryptography guarantees the authenticity and integrity of data. It ensures that information hasn't been tampered with during transmission or storage. Imagine a digital signature verifying the authenticity of a document.
- Authentication: Cryptography enables verifying the identity of users and devices. This is crucial for secure logins and access control, preventing unauthorized access to systems and data.
Examples of Cryptography in Cyber Security:
- HTTPS: The "S" in HTTPS stands for "secure". Websites using HTTPS encrypt communication between the user's browser and the server, protecting sensitive information like passwords and credit card details.
- VPN: Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) use encryption to create a secure tunnel for internet traffic, protecting data from eavesdropping and unauthorized access.
- Password Hashing: Passwords are not stored in plain text. Instead, they are converted into a one-way hash function, making it impossible to retrieve the original password from the hashed version.
Benefits of Cryptography in Cyber Security:
- Data Protection: Protects sensitive information from unauthorized access.
- Increased Trust: Builds trust between users and organizations.
- Compliance: Helps organizations meet regulatory requirements for data security.
- Reduced Risk: Minimizes the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks.
In essence, cryptography is a fundamental pillar of cyber security, safeguarding sensitive information and protecting against various threats.
