Compare and contrast symmetric and asymmetric encryption
Comparison
Both the symmetric and the asymmetric encryption are means of securing communication between parties, especially in an enterprise. They function through encryption of plaintext and decryption of ciphertext to promote data integrity, confidentiality, and authentication (Sasi, Dixon, and Wilson, 2014).
Contrast
The symmetric encryption uses the same key for both encryption and decryption operations. On the contrary, asymmetric encryption (public-key encryption) uses a pair of keys, one for the public and the other one for private use. The communication between parties only takes place when data encrypted with the public key corresponds to the owner of a specific private key (Sasi, Dixon, and Wilson, 2014).
The asymmetric encryption is optimal for an enterprise because it promotes confidentiality and privacy. Unlike the symmetric encryption where the data is shared between parties with the encryption key, the symmetric encryption allows the every person to send the message to a particular holder of the private key ensuring data protection. On the other hand, the symmetric encryption helps safeguard the enterprise's confidential information, especially when shared with the management. It helps the enterprise manage a secure file transfer server where the user must generate a key and send it to the other party before uploading an encrypted file.
The analysis of encryption technologies
Primary use
Encryption algorithms help substation that involves mapping each element in a plaintext into another element and transposition that involves rearrangement of elements in the plain text. Its main agenda is to prevent loss of information.
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
Symmetric encryption:
The key used are resistant to force attacks, and the secret key algorithm requires limited computing power to create.
Asymmetric encryption:
The presence of private and public keys allows users to perform a secure exchange of information.
Weaknesses
Symmetric encryption:
The exchange of private keys is prone to attacks because of the nature of the exchange.
Asymmetric encryption:
The unique nature of keys makes them more costly
System requirements
The system performing the information encryption process must meet four requirements. Authentication: The requirement ensures all senders and receivers are genuine
Data integrity: Prevents data exchange from the source to destination
Confidentiality: Ensure only authorized users to receive the data
Non-repudiation: The sender must have enough confidence that the receiver receives the message.
The use of encryption tool is paramount to the confidentiality and integrity of information, but it creates many loopholes for attackers. The process can only be recommended to an enterprise when there is a strong data security framework that promotes users privacy.
Reference
Sasi, s. B., Dixon, D., and Wilson, J. (2014). A General Comparison of Symmetric and
Asymmetric Cryptosystems for WSNs and an Overview of Location Based Encryption Technique for Improving Security. IOSR Journal of Engineering, 4(3), 01-04.
