Encryption

What is encryption and why is it important?

Encryption is a security mechanism that encodes data so only authorized parties can access it. It protects sensitive information such as credentials, financial records, health data, and intellectual property. Whether data is stored or being transmitted, encryption ensures that even if intercepted, the data remains unintelligible without the correct decryption key. This is foundational to maintaining privacy, meeting compliance mandates, and minimizing the impact of data breaches.

What are the main types of encryption?

• Symmetric encryption: This method uses a single key for both encryption and decryption. It’s faster and often used for bulk data encryption. Algorithms include AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), DES, and 3DES.
• Asymmetric encryption: Also known as public-key encryption, it uses a pair of keys—one public, one private. The public key encrypts data, while the private key decrypts it. RSA and ECC are commonly used algorithms.
• Hybrid encryption: Combines symmetric and asymmetric encryption. Typically, asymmetric encryption secures the symmetric key used to encrypt the data, balancing speed and security.

What are the benefits and challenges of encryption?

Benefits:

• Prevents unauthorized access to data, even during breaches
• Enables secure communication channels (e.g., TLS/SSL)
• Supports regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS)

Challenges:

• Key management complexity and risk of key loss
• Performance impact on systems with large volumes of encrypted data
• False sense of security if encryption is poorly implemented or not combined with identity protection

Where is encryption used?

Encryption is applied across many IT environments. Data at rest, such as files, databases, and backups, is typically encrypted using AES or other symmetric methods. Data in transit is secured through protocols like HTTPS, VPN, and TLS. Endpoints and portable media, including USB drives, are encrypted to prevent data loss in case of theft. Applications and cloud services also rely on encryption to ensure the secure handling of customer and enterprise data.

Use Cases

• Healthcare: Encrypts patient records and imaging data to meet HIPAA and protect against data loss during transit or unauthorized access.
• Financial Services: Secures transaction data and customer PII in databases and across networks to support PCI DSS and reduce breach impact.
• Legal and Government: Ensures confidentiality of case files and classified information, especially in email and file transfer systems.
• Cloud and SaaS Providers: Applies client-side and server-side encryption to ensure tenant data segregation and secure APIs.

How Netwrix can help

Netwrix helps organizations protect encrypted data from unauthorized access, misuse, or exfiltration — especially at the endpoint. With Netwrix Endpoint Protector, you can enforce automatic encryption for data transferred to USB devices, control removable media usage, and monitor sensitive content — even when endpoints are offline. This ensures encryption policies are consistently applied, helping you prevent data leaks and meet compliance requirements like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.

Suggested Resources

• Netwrix Endpoint Protector
• SQL Server Encryption Explained: TDE, Column-Level Encryption and More