Encryption algorithms

Written on 9 February 2015, 05:36pm

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A quick note about the 2 types of encryption algorithms:

1. Symmetric encryption

Oldest, fastest and more common
Key management is critical
– Best encoding algorithms: the ones that are public
Public algorithm, private key. “Good security systems rely on the private key for security, not on the algorithm itself”

Suppose you installed the biggest, strongest, most secure lock in the world on your front door, but you put the key under the front door mat. It wouldn’t really matter how strong the lock is, would it?
10 Immutable Laws of Security

2. Asymmetric encryption (Public key cryptography)

– uses both public and private keys
– the key management is part of the algorithm
– it’s slower than the symmetric encryption
– it can be used for both encryption and digital signature (digital signatures: hashing + asymmetric encryption)
– relies on digital certificates

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