Cryptography is an information security tactic used to protect enterprise information and communication from cyber threats through the use of codes. At Triskele Labs, we consider it the art of hiding information to prevent unauthorised access to your data.
This practice refers to secure information and communication techniques derived from mathematical concepts and a set of rule-based calculations, called algorithms, to transform messages in ways that are hard to decipher.
These algorithms are then used for cryptographic key generation, digital signing, verification to protect data privacy, web browsing on the internet, and confidential communication like credit card transactions and emails.
Cryptography achieves several information security-related objectives including confidentiality, integrity, and authentication, and non-repudiation. In this post, we explore what these reveal about cryptography.
Cryptography protects the confidentiality of information
Confidentiality is a key priority when it comes to cryptography. It means that only people with the right permission can access the information transmitted and that this information is protected from unauthorised access at all stages of its lifecycle.
Confidentiality is necessary for maintaining the privacy of those whose personal information is stored in enterprise systems. Encryption, therefore, is the only way to ensure that your information remains secure while it’s stored and being transmitted.
Even when the transmission or storage medium has been compromised, the encrypted information is practically useless to unauthorised individuals without the right keys for decryption.
It ensures the integrity of your data
In the security environment, integrity refers to the fact that information systems and their data are accurate.
If a system possesses integrity, it means that the data in the system is moved and processed in predictable ways. Even when the data is processed, it doesn’t change.
Cryptography ensures the integrity of data using hashing algorithms and message digests. By providing codes and digital keys to ensure that what is received is genuine and from the intended sender, the receiver is assured that the data received has not been tampered with during transmission.
It assures that the sender or receiver is the right one
Cryptography also helps you make sure that the identity of both the sender and receiver and the origin or destination of the information is correct—the most important being the latter.
When the source of information is identified, it’s much easier for your teams to communicate securely.
Authentication is only possible via a special key exchange that’s used by the sender to prove his/her identity. This usually involves a username and a password, but can also include other methods like a smart card, retina scan, voice recognition, or fingerprint scan.
Both sender and receiver are held accountable through non-repudiation
In this context, non-repudiation refers to the confirmation of a transferred message that is either sent or received. This principle ensures that the sender cannot deny the fact that he/she sent the data. It uses digital signatures to prevent the sender from denying the origin of the data.
It is also a way to guarantee that the receiver does not deny having received the message.
Cryptography also ensures the availability of data
Cryptography also supports the availability of data by guaranteeing that individuals with the right permission can use systems and retrieve data in a dependable and timely manner. This ensures that information systems are reliable and accessible.
Uphold information security with powerful cryptography strategies
Information security is one of the biggest concerns for businesses operating competitively in the modern business environment. When executed via the right strategies, cryptography helps you safeguard your intellectual property, preventing it from falling prey to cyber threats and threat actors.
Get in touch with our team at Triskele Labs and discover how we can help you protect your data and integrate cryptography into your security strategies and systems.
In the meantime, you can also explore other strategies including web application penetration testing, internal network penetration testing, or cybersecurity awareness training and take proactive steps to secure critical enterprise resources.
