Cybersecurity Toronto:  A Guide to Encryption

Cybersecurity is no longer just a buzzword. It has become an essential part of life whether personal or business-related for as long as one is online. The need to keep your information safe, especially for businesses in Ontario, has become more pressing as more cases of breaches occur. Recently, advancements in technology made it easier for cyber crooks to victimize unknowing people. That is why aside from partnering with a reliable provider of cybersecurity Toronto, information dissemination is also important. Among the most common terms associated with cybersecurity is Encryption. But what is it and how can it make you and your company safer online? 

Cybersecurity Toronto A Guide to Encryption

What is Encryption? 

Encryption is the process of transforming data into coded versions. It basically changes the content of a paragraph, for example, into a mash up of letters, numbers, and special characters. As such, the paragraph will appear gibberish and would not, in any way, make sense. The goal is to make the details unreadable to unauthorized people should the content get into the wrong hands. The data, however, can be decrypted or turned back into its original form, with the use of the correct encryption key. Many data security systems and cybersecurity Toronto use the process of encryption to keep information safe.   

How Does Encryption Work? 

Encryption functions by applying algorithms together with authentication keys. The rules that constitute an algorithm serve to encode and decode data. On the other hand, the keys operate like a password to unlock the encrypted data. The combination of sophisticated algorithms with long keys establishes the encryption strength. Basically, a provider of cybersecurity Toronto, explains that the magic happens in the rules and codes put into the encryption tools being used.  

Types of Encryptions 

Symmetric Encryption 

One single key serves as the encryption and decryption tool in this method. The system operates with quick processing. This is because the key functions for encryption and decryption match between sender and receiver. However, it is also weaker as it may encounter security issues if attackers uncover the shared key. 

Asymmetric Encryption 

The two components of this encryption system include the encryption public key and the decryption private key. This is a more secure data interaction as data can be decrypted only with the private key. Hence, it remains protected.  

Quick Take on the Common Encryption Methods 

Common encryption methods include AES, RSA, DES and ECC. AES or Advanced Encryption Standard uses 128, 192, or 256-bit keys and is considered the strongest encryption and preferred by providers of cybersecurity, Toronto. RSA or Rivest-Shamir-Adleman on the other hand, is an asymmetric method that uses public and private keys for secure data transfer and digital signatures. Whereas DES or Data Encryption Standard, which is not considered an outdated system, has only a 56-bit key and is already replaced by AES due to security weaknesses. Lastly, ECC or Elliptic Curve Cryptography is also an asymmetric method offering strong security with smaller keys, hence making it ideal for mobile devices and IoT.  

Cybersecurity Toronto Encryption Daily Use

Encryption is Practical and Daily Life 

While encryption and decryption may sound very technical, a provider of services in cybersecurity Toronto explains that it is actually used in a lot of our day-to-day activities. Below are some examples: 

Online Shopping 

The encryption system guards payment details. This keeps them away from both fraudsters and unauthorized users who may attempt to access them throughout transactions. 

Messaging Apps 

A secure messaging platform like WhatsApp implements end-to-end encryption. This means that it restricts access to messages to only the sender and recipient pair. Today, more messaging apps have applied this to their system.  

Email Security 

Encrypted emails keep unauthorized eyes away from important data. While the email can be intercepted, it may not be readable for the cyber crook.  

Encryption: Challenges and How to Stay Safe 

Although a good tool, encryption still poses challenges. One of such is key management, wherein the loss of encryption keys can result in permanent data loss. Hence, making sure that storage methods are secured is essential. Additionally, encryption can cause system performance to slow down. This is because of the large processing power needed for operation, especially with large information.  

To ensure that your encryption system stays safe, it’s important to keep software updated. This ensures that security vulnerabilities are updated, and encryption capabilities are enhanced. Furthermore, even with encryption, it is still a good idea to be cautious on public Wi-Fi. Experts in cybersecurity Toronto suggest using a VPN to protect against data interception.  

Lastly, ensuring data security requires understanding and implementing proper encryption systems. Here at EB Solution, we know this best and have a wide array of products and services that we can offer to ensure your business has a strong cybersecurity posture.  

Call us today!