Enkriptimin

Enkriptimin, or encryption, is the process of converting plaintext into ciphertext using an algorithm and a key to protect confidentiality. The security of encryption relies on the secrecy and management of keys and the strength of the chosen algorithm.

Encryption can be classified as symmetric or asymmetric. In symmetric encryption, the same key is used to encrypt and decrypt data. In asymmetric encryption, a pair of related keys is used: a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. Symmetric systems are typically faster for bulk data, while asymmetric systems facilitate key exchange and digital signatures.

Common symmetric algorithms include AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and ChaCha20. Asymmetric systems include RSA and elliptic-curve cryptography (ECC). For data integrity and authentication, encryption is often combined with authentication mechanisms, such as MACs, or used within digital signatures.

Data can be encrypted in different contexts: data at rest (stored data) and data in transit (communication channels). For block ciphers, modes of operation like CBC (Cipher Block Chaining) and GCM (Galois/Counter Mode) provide confidentiality, with GCM also offering integrity protection.

Encryption enables secure communications (for example, TLS for web traffic), protection of stored files and databases, and the use of digital signatures to verify identity and data integrity. Effective encryption relies on robust key management, including secure generation, distribution, storage, and rotation, and on protecting against threats such as key compromise, weak randomness, and side-channel attacks.

Standards and regulation influence encryption usage. Relevant standards include ISO/IEC 19790 and FIPS 140-2, while guidance from NIST SP 800-series informs algorithm choices and key management. Privacy laws, like the GDPR, shape how encrypted data is handled and protected.

Historically, modern cryptography emerged in the 1970s with the advent of public-key cryptography (Diffie–Hellman) and RSA, reshaping secure communications and data protection. Enkriptimi remains a central tool in information security.