Data encryption is a way of translating data from plaintext (unencrypted) to ciphertext (encrypted). Users can access encrypted data with an encryption key and decrypted data with a decryption key.
There are massive amounts of sensitive information managed and stored online in the cloud or on connected servers. Encryption uses cybersecurity to defend against brute-force and cyber-attacks, including malware and ransomware. Data encryption works by securing transmitted digital data on the cloud and computer systems. There are two kinds of digital data, transmitted data or in-flight data and stored digital data or data at rest.
Modern encryption algorithms have replaced the outdated Data Encryption Standard to protect data. These algorithms guard information and fuel security initiatives including integrity, authentication, and non-repudiation. The algorithms first authenticate a message to verify the origin. Next. they check the integrity to verify that contents have remained unchanged. Finally, the non-repudiation initiative stops sends from denying legitimate activity.
Gain insights to prepare and respond to cyberattacks with greater speed and effectiveness with the IBM Security X-Force Threat Intelligence Index.
Register for the Cost of a Data Breach report
There are several different encryption methods, each developed with different security and security needs in mind. The two main types of data encryption are asymmetric encryption and symmetric encryption.
Asymmetric encryption, also known as Public-Key Cryptography, encrypts and decrypts the data using two separate cryptographic asymmetric keys. These two keys are known as a “public key” and a “private key”.
Common asymmetric encryption methods:
- RSA: RSA, named after computer scientists Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Leonard Adleman, is a popular algorithm used to encrypt data with a public key and decrypt with a private key for secure data transmission.
- Public key infrastructure (PKI): PKI is a way of governing encryption keys through the issuance and management of digital certificates.
Symmetric encryption is a type of encryption where only one secret symmetric key is used to encrypt the plaintext and decrypt the ciphertext.
Common symmetric encryption methods:
- Data Encryption Standards (DES): DES is a low-level encryption block cipher algorithm that converts plain text in blocks of 64 bits and converts them to ciphertext using keys of 48 bits.
- Triple DES: Triple DES runs DES encryption three different times by encrypting, decrypting, and then encrypting data again.
- Advanced Encryption Standard (AES): AES is often referred to as the gold standard for data encryption and is used worldwide as the U.S. government standard.
- Twofish: Twofish is considered one of the fastest encryption algorithms and is free to use.
With more and more organizations moving to hybrid and multicloud environments, concerns are growing about public cloud security and protecting data across complex environments. Enterprise-wide data encryption and encryption key management can help protect data on-premises and in the cloud.
Cloud service providers (CSPs) may be responsible for the security of the cloud, but customers are responsible for security in the cloud, especially the security of any data. An organization’s sensitive data must be protected, while allowing authorized users to perform their job functions. This protection should not only encrypt data, but also provide robust encryption key management, access control and audit logging capabilities.
Robust data encryption and key management solutions should offer:
- A centralized management console for data encryption and encryption key policies and configurations
- Encryption at the file, database and application levels for on-premise and cloud data
- Role and group-based access controls and audit logging to help address compliance
- Automated key lifecycle processes for on-premise and cloud encryption keys
IBM© synthesized 11 years of cryptography research into a streamlined fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) toolkit for Mac OS and iOS.
The newly launched multi-party network called IBM Blockchain Platform 2.5 includes the latest innovations to improve the IBM Blockchain Platform.
IBM Fibre Channel Endpoint Security for IBM z15™ helps protect data in flight with pervasive encryption and without the costly application changes.
Protect enterprise data and address regulatory compliance with data-centric security solutions and services
Encrypting data with IBM encryption technology will ensure your data is protected, even in the event of a data breach.
IBM Data Privacy Passports protects sensitive data and maintains privacy by policy as the data moves from its source across hybrid multiclouds.
IBM Cryptographic Services protects and retains full control of your sensitive data.
IBM Enterprise Key Management Foundation (EKMF) is a highly secure and flexible key management system for enterprise.
Protect your file and database data from misuse with IBM Security Guardium Data Encryption, an integrated suite of products built on a common infrastructure.
Protect your data, meet privacy regulations, and simplify operational complexity with IBM Cloud Pak for security.
Simplify data and infrastructure management with the unified IBM FlashSystem® platform family, which streamlines administration and operational complexity across on-premises, hybrid cloud, virtualized and containerized environments.
Understand your cybersecurity landscape and prioritize initiatives together with senior IBM security architects and consultants in a no-cost, virtual or in-person, 3-hour design thinking session.
The Cost of a Data Breach Report explores financial impacts and security measures that can help your organization avoid a data breach, or in the event of a breach, mitigate costs.
Understand your cyberattack risks with a global view of the threat landscape
Learn how to apply encryption to each stage of the data’s lifecycle for all of your digital collaboration and data sharing.
Discover more about CCPA and GDPR compliance, data protection, and privacy issues.
IBM is at the forefront of research and pioneering, with more than 3,000 researchers in 12 labs across six continents.
File transfer enables sharing, transferring, and transmitting files and data between users and computers locally and remotely.
Read how Commercial International Bank modernized its digital security with IBM Security® solutions and consulting to create a security-rich environment for the organization.