Encryption of data can be defined as converting data known as plaintext into code, often known as ciphertext, that is unreadable by anyone except the intended audience. Data encryption is the most popular way of adding another layer of security for preventing unauthorized access and use of data. Encryption is a two-step process: in the first step, data is encrypted using a combination of an encryption key and an encryption algorithm, in the second step, data is decrypted using a combination of a decryption key and a decryption algorithm to view data in its original form.
The following three components are required for encryption. These three components work hand in hand for securing your data:
- Data to be encrypted
- Algorithm for encryption
- Encryption keys to be used alongside the data and the algorithm
There are two types of encryption available...