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Explore the Best Encryption Algorithm Types to Secure Your Data and Revolutionize Cryptography
Encryption algorithm is the backbone of any SSL certificate, protecting data communication between servers and clients by encrypting information yet maintaining authorized accessibility. The importance of strong encryption became essential during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Global cybersecurity spending was to rise to, $215 billion in 2024 while cybercrimes increased by 300% in pandemic as remote work setups showed security vulnerability. Employees failing to protect organizational data makes systems vulnerable to hacker attacks, particularly those running outdated security standards, which are exposed to sophisticated threats.
Data encryption stands as an important part for organizations operating on online platforms. Data Security depends heavily on encryption because it guards sensitive information from unauthorized access. The following article provides an overview of several effective encryption algorithms. But first, let’s understand what encryption algorithm is and why it is important for data security.
What is an Encryption Algorithm in Data Security?
An encryption algorithm is nothing but a mathematical function that changes plaintext into ciphertext. In data security, this process secures data by converting it into an unreadable form, which needs a valid key to decrypt. Encryption can be achieved by two methods, Symmetric and Asymmetric encryption. We’ll discuss both methods in the upcoming section.
How Does the Encryption Algorithm Work?
Encryption of data is a process of protecting the information through encoding. The algorithms scramble the data and decrypt it through an authentication key provided by the originator of the message.
Data security and integrity depend on the algorithm used for encryption. As the encrypted data needs a key for access, it makes the process secure and confidential. Algorithms are also popularly known as ciphers in cryptographic terms.
According to a report, 54% of modern-day businesses use data encryption to protect customers’ data. However, each encryption process ends with decrypting the code. While an algorithm encrypts the data, a description algorithm does the opposite. It unlocks the data and makes the information accessible.
The decryption process is meaningless without the key. There are different lengths for decryption keys where private keys span from 128 bits to 256 bits while public keys employ a maximum length of 2048 bits.
There are two major cryptography key systems used to generate decryption keys, which are
Symmetric key and Asymmetric key
Both encryption methods are important for securing digital communication.
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm
Symmetric encryption is a method where a single key is generated to encrypt and decrypt information. The key is exchanged between the originator and receiver for the decryption of data.
This process is comparatively faster than other encryption methods. It includes two main methods to encrypt the data. The first one is the stream ciphers which encrypts data bit by bit, and block ciphers which encrypts data in particular size of blocks.
The symmetric encryption method ensures that the data is not accessible to anyone without a unique pass on by the originators. Such a key can be a string of alphabetic or numeric digits generated through a secure random number generator (RNG).
The resulting ciphertext appears as a random string and cannot be understood without the key. To decrypt it, the same key is applied to reverse the encryption process, restoring the original message.
Since symmetric encryption needs a single key for both operations, it requires secure sharing and storage of the key. If an unauthorized party gets the encryption key, they can decode every message. Symmetric encryption is commonly used in tasks that need rapid data protection applications like protecting database records and encrypted files and network communication within private systems.
Asymmetric Encryption Algorithm
Also known as public-key cryptography, it is a different type of encryption than the symmetric system. Here, a pair of keys is generated with one public key and another private key. Data can be encrypted only through a public key. Similarly, data decryption occurs through the private or secret key from the key pair.
When someone wants to exchange secure files or messages, they must retrieve the recipient’s public key from a public directory. The recipient can access the encrypted information only with their corresponding private key.
Let’s take a practical example to understand how encryption works.
If you want to encrypt a message like, “Hello there how are you?” the algorithm will create a string of code like, “iJ+ev5Lyo/4h6mEgiuedrdlNxd8r789AFar0TJiAe1o=”. As this is a symmetric key, you can use it to decrypt the message.
There are many cryptography algorithms that you can use for encryption. Let’s discuss some of the significant ones.
Types of Encryption Algorithms for Cryptographic Systems
In the following section, we will discuss highly effective encryption algorithms including, Triple DES, AES, RSA Security, Blowfish, Twofish, and ECC. These algorithms maintain sensitive data security and implement encryption methods with data breach protection capabilities.
#1. Triple DES
Triple DES (TDES) is an upgraded version of the DES algorithm, which came into force to overcome the issues of its earlier version DES algorithm. It triples the strength of the earlier version by applying the algorithm three times to each data block. This makes 3DES stronger than its previous version, it is mainly used in the finance industry. 3DES is mainly used in the finance industry. 3DES is also a part of cryptographic protocols like SSH, IPsec. However, the Sweet32 vulnerability was found in the 3DES algorithm and made it vulnerable. Microsoft was using it for MS OneNote and Outlook 2007 for password-protected content and other system data. With the introduction of the Office 365 service, Microsoft discontinued the 3DES algorithm.
After a vulnerability was found in triple DES, the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) recommended users switch to the AES algorithm. Even the text size to be encrypted is reduced from 232 to 220 (64-bit) blocks. As per the draft of the NIST, 3DES in all new applications was trashed after the year 2023. However, the new version of TLS 1.3 has also discontinued the usage of 3DES.
#2. AES
AES stands for Advanced Encryption System. It is an alternative to the DES algorithm, which was deprecated due to the Sweet32 vulnerability. AES algorithm was approved in the year 2021. The algorithm comprises different key lengths and block sizes ciphers. AES replaced DES due to its smaller key size. DES had seemed vulnerable due to a “key search attack.” AES is a more robust algorithm than a 3DES algorithm. The key size comes in 128/192/256-bit key formats. The software implementation was done in ‘C’ and ‘Java’ languages.
AES is based on the substitution and permutation process. Here, substitution means a series of linked operations from which some inputs are replaced with outputs, while permutation involves shuffling of bits in the algorithm. AES is a symmetric block cipher that carries a 128-bit block size. As a result, AES is more secure than the DES algorithm.
#3. RSA Security
Modern computers use RSA for encoding and decoding information. It is an asymmetric algorithm that works on a public key and a private key. It is also named public key cryptography. In RSA security, a public key is known to everyone, while a private key is kept secret to decode the information. When any message is encrypted with a public key then, a private key only decrypts that message. If a private key is compromised, the whole motto of encryption does fail.
Hackers will need high processing power and a significant amount of time to break the RSA encryption. The strength of the encryption depends upon the key size. When a key size gets doubled, the strength of an encryption increases. RSA key can be 2048-bit or 3072-bit in size. Earlier, 1024-bit was used, but somehow it was found vulnerable against attack.
#4. Blowfish
Blowfish is a symmetric key block cipher designed in 1993, used for a general purpose. Blowfish was designed to overcome the issue of the DES algorithm. The algorithm was placed in the public domain, and anyone can use it freely. The algorithm has a 64-bit block size, and the key length varies from 32-bit to 448-bit in size. It works on Feistel structure, uses 16-bit round cipher, and is the best permutation method in cipher-related encryption. In the Blowfish algorithm, a single key is used to encrypt and decrypt the information.
Blowfish is a free and rapid algorithm that processes a massive amount of data and can be used in computers and mobile processors. Blowfish works in two parts: key expanding and data encryption. Upon receiving the request, the algorithm converts a 448-bit key into subkeys and makes it significant of 4168 bytes. However, Blowfish is outdated in some applications; it can be used effectively like password management, backup tools, Linux OS, file and disk encryption.
#5. Twofish
Twofish is a replacement for the Blowfish algorithm. It is symmetric encryption that works on a single key which is used for encryption and decryption. The algorithm has a 128-bit block size and can accept a 256-bit key length. Therefore, Twofish is suitable for network applications where frequent keys change with no ROM/RAM availability. In this algorithm, one-half of an n-bit key is used for the actual encryption key, while the other half of the key is used to alter the encryption algorithm. However, NIST has recommended not using the Twofish algorithm as it is slightly slower than the Rijndael encryption algorithm (AES). But Twofish uses a 128-bit key and is safe against brute force attacks.
According to Bruce Schneier, there is not yet any practical break made on the Twofish algorithm. Twofish is mainly used in PGP algorithm, GnuPG implementation, TrueCrypt, and KeePass.
#6. ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography)
Elliptic Curve Cryptography is an encryption algorithm based on the algebraic structure of elliptic curves over finite fields. ECC provides superior security over RSA since it depends on the elliptic curve discrete logarithm problem or ECDLP rather than the factoring of large primes that traditional RSA algorithms need.
The performance characteristics of ECC make it stand out from other key agreements. The security provided by a 256-bit ECC key matches the 3072-bit RSA key through faster computation speed and lower bandwidth usage and power requirements. The quick performance of ECC matches its suitability for limited resource scenarios which include mobile electronics and IoT equipment and high-traffic computing servers.
In SSL/TLS certificates, ECC is used for key exchange and digital signatures, enabling secure HTTPS connections that operate faster. The key exchange process within ECDSA (Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm) certificates uses ECC technology to create trust-based connections. The latest browser versions including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and major devices support ECC offering smooth operation.
ECC stands as an optimal encryption solution for today’s security requirements because its strong protection mechanisms and smaller key structures fit well with modern needs above older standards of encryption.
The Pros and Cons of Symmetric Encryption Algorithm
It uses a single shared key for encryption and decryption (e.g., AES-256, DES).
Pros:
- Symmetric algorithms have faster speed and lower computational overhead, making them a great choice for encrypting large datasets like files, and databases.
- It uses only one key to manage and implement, making its maintenance straightforward.
- Modern algorithms like AES-256 are virtually unbreakable with brute-force attacks when keys are properly managed.
Cons:
- Sharing the secret key securely between parties is a major challenge in this method as intercepted keys can compromise entire systems.
- Managing unique keys for every pair of users becomes impractical in large networks.
- It lacks mechanisms to verify the origin of a message, increasing risks in authentication-sensitive scenarios.
The Pros and Cons of Asymmetric Encryption Algorithm
Uses paired public/private keys (e.g., RSA, ECC).
Pros:
- Public keys can be freely distributed, enabling secure communication without pre-shared secrets (e.g., SSL/TLS handshakes).
- Private keys enable authentication and non-repudiation, verifying message integrity and sender identity.
- A single key pair per user simplifies secure communication across large networks.
Cons:
- It works on complex mathematical operations (e.g., modular exponentiation) which slow down encryption/decryption, making it inefficient for bulk data.
- Larger key sizes (e.g., RSA-2048 vs. AES-256) require more storage and processing power.
- Algorithms like RSA rely on factoring primes, which quantum computers could eventually break.
Use Cases of Symmetric and Asymmetric Encryption in Security Protocols
- Most modern security protocols like HTTPS, combine asymmetric and symmetric encryption, which is then used to handle bulk data encryption.
- Symmetric encryption is more suitable for closed systems with trusted parties, while asymmetric encryption excels in open environments that require authentication.
- By balancing these strengths and limitations, both encryption types remain foundational for securing digital data in this increasingly interconnected world.
Encryption Algorithms Shaping the Future of Cryptography
Encryption development is speeding up with growing cyber threats and emerging technologies. The core aspect of this transformative shift belongs to Quantum Cryptography through its quantum key distribution method that builds secure communication through quantum mechanics. The distribution of cryptographic keys through QKD happens through photon polarization and quantum entanglement.
Protocols like BB84 exploit the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. If any attempt to intercept the key alters its quantum state, it immediately exposes eavesdropping. QKD operates as an exceptional key exchange solution because its quantum mechanics defenses prevent attacks from classical and quantum devices.
The implementation of quantum repeaters alongside satellite-based networks (e.g., China’s Micius Satellite) helps resolve existing hurdles to spread QKD technology.
Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)
Parallel to quantum advancements, Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) is emerging to discover quantum computing threats. The cryptographic algorithms lattice-based cryptography (Kyber, NTRU) together with hash-based signatures (SPHINCS+) use mathematical problems that quantum attacks cannot solve effectively. The methods are standardized by NIST for using them to replace vulnerable RSA and ECC systems in the quantum era.
In addition to QKD along with PQC encryption, new technologies are transforming the encryption:
- Homomorphic Encryption allows secure computation of encrypted information without decryption, thus enabling private AI processing and cloud services.
- AI-driven encryption machine learning models optimize encryption protocols dynamically, adapting to real-time threats.
- Blockchain-based security decentralizes consensus mechanisms and zero-knowledge proofs enhance data integrity and authentication.
The Future of Cryptography
The future of cryptography depends on hybrid methods that integrate quantum-resistant algorithms, quantum key distribution, and adaptive technologies. As quantum computing advances and cyberattacks become increasingly sophisticated, encryption will depend on multiple layers of protection, combining theoretical strength with real-world scalability. The merging of quantum advancements, flexible algorithms, and decentralized systems will characterize the upcoming age of secure communication.
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