Aptitude Engineering Mathematics Discrete Mathematics Operating System DBMS Computer Networks Di

What is Data Encryption?

Last Updated : 02 Jan, 2025

Data encryption is the process of converting readable information (plaintext)

into an unreadable format (ciphertext) to protect it from unauthorized access.
It is a method of preserving data confidentiality by transforming it into
ciphertext, which can only be decoded using a unique decryption key
produced at the time of the encryption or before it. The conversion of
plaintext into ciphertext is known as encryption. By using encryption keys
and mathematical algorithms, the data is scrambled so that anyone
intercepting it without the proper key cannot understand the contents.

When the intended recipient receives the encrypted data, they use the
matching decryption key to return it to its original, readable form. This
approach ensures that sensitive information such as personal details,
financial data, or confidential communications remains secure as it travels
over networks or is stored on devices.

Key Objective of Encryption Data

Confidentiality: Encryption ensures that only authorized parties can get
access to data and recognize the information.
Data Integrity: Encryption can also provide data integrity by making sure
that the encrypted data remains unchanged during transmission. Any
unauthorized changes to the encrypted information will render it
undecipherable or will fail integrity checks.
Authentication: Encryption may be used as part of authentication
mechanisms to verify the identification of the communication party.
Non-Repudiation: Through encryption, events can make sure that they
cannot deny their involvement in growing or sending a selected piece of
data.

We use cookies to ensure you have the best browsing experience on our website. By using our
Got It !
site, youImportance
acknowledge that you of
haveData Encryption
read and understood our Cookie Policy & Privacy Policy
 The significance of encryption cannot be overstated in any way. Even though
your data is stored in a standard infrastructure, it is still possible for it to be
hacked. There’s always the chance that data will be compromised, but with
data encryption, your information will be much more secure. Consider it this
way for a moment. If your data is stored in a secure system, encrypting it
before sending it out will keep it safe. Sanctioned systems do not provide the
same level of protection.

So, how do you think this would play out in real life?

Suppose the user has access to sensitive information while at work. The user
may put the information on a portable disc and move it anywhere they
choose without any encryption. If the encryptions are set in place ahead of
time, the user can still copy the information, but the data will be
unintelligible when they try to see it somewhere else. These are the benefits
of data encryption that demonstrate its genuine value.

Types of Data Encryption

There are multiple encryption techniques, each of which have been
developed with various security requirements in mind. Symmetric and
Asymmetric encryption are the two types of data encryption.

1. Symmetric Key Encryption

There are a few strategies used in cryptography algorithms. For encryption

and decryption processes, some algorithms employ a unique key. In such
operations, the unique key must be secured since the system or person who
knows the key has complete authentication to decode the message for
reading. This approach is known as “symmetric encryption” in the field of
network encryption.

Symmetric Encryption

We use cookies to ensure you have the best browsing experience on our website. By using our
site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Cookie Policy & Privacy Policy
 2. Asymmetric Key Encryption

Some cryptography methods employ one key for data encryption and
another key for data decryption. As a result, anyone who has access to such
a public communication will be unable to decode or read it. This type of
cryptography, known as “public-key” encryption, is used in the majority of
internet security protocols. The term “asymmetric encryption” is used to
describe this type of encryption.

Asymmetric Encryption

How Does Encryption Work?

When data or information is shared over internet, it passes via a number of
global network devices that are a component of the public internet. Data that
is transmitted via the open internet leads to the risk of being stolen or
hacked by hackers. Users can install particular hardware or software to
guarantee the safe transfer of data or information in order to avoid hacking.
In network security these operations are referred to as encryption. The
process of transforming plaintext into ciphertext, is called encryption.

We use cookies to ensure you have the best browsingWorking

experience on our website. By using our
of Encryption
site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Cookie Policy & Privacy Policy
 On the left you have an original, readable message called plaintext such as
“GeeksforGeeks.” Before sending it over a network, the sender uses an
encryption key and an encryption process to convert this readable message
into a scrambled, unreadable format known as ciphertext (in this image it is
like “KGifuT+us0=”). This ciphertext travels across the internet, so if
someone intercepts it, they cannot understand it without the key. When the
ciphertext reaches the intended recipient, they use the matching decryption
key and a decryption process to turn the unreadable ciphertext back into the
original, readable message “GeeksforGeeks.” Essentially the image shows
how encryption and decryption ensure that only authorized parties with the
correct keys can access the information in its original form.

States of Data Encryption

Data encryption in transit: Information that is actively moving from one
point to another, such as via the internet or over a private network, is referred
to as data in transit. Data is deemed less safe when in transit due to the
weaknesses of transfer techniques.

Encryption of data at rest: Data encryption at rest decreases the risk of data
breach caused by lost or stolen devices, inadvertent password sharing, or
accidental permission granting by increasing the time it takes to access
information and providing the time required to discover data loss,
ransomware attacks, remotely erased data, or changed credentials.

How the Data Encryption Takes Place?

Data encryption transforms readable data known as plaintext, into an
unreadable format called ciphertext. This process generally involves an
algorithm and a unique encryption key. The algorithm uses the key to
scramble the data in such a way that anyone without the key cannot make
sense of the ciphertext.

When the intended recipient receives the encrypted data, they use the
corresponding decryption key often related to the encryption key to reverse
the process and restore the data to its original readable form. This approach
ensures that even if someone intercepts the data during transmission they
cannot understand it unless they have the correct key.

We use cookies to ensure you have the best browsing experience on our website. By using our
site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Cookie Policy & Privacy Policy
 Encryption Process

Encryption is performed on digital communications, this technological

procedure is designed to prevent a third party from deciphering the signal’s
secret content. Consumers conduct transactions for goods purchases over
the internet. There are millions of web services that can help various trained
employees do their responsibilities. Furthermore, to utilize these services
that demand personal information, most websites require substantial
identification. One of the most common ways, known as “encryption,” is to
keep such information safe and secure.

Uses of Data Encryption

Using digital signatures, Encryption is used to prove the integrity and
authenticity of the information. Digital-rights management and copy
protection both require encryption.
Encryption can be used to erase data. But since data recovery tools can
sometimes recover deleted data, if you encrypt the data first and then
throw away the key, the only thing anyone can recover is the ciphertext,
not the original data.
Data Migration is used when transferring data over a network to ensure
that no one else on the network can read it.
VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) uses encryption, and you should encrypt
everything you store in the cloud. This can encrypt the entire hard drive as
well as voice calls.

Advantages of Data Encryption

Data encryption keeps information distinct from the security of the device
on which it is stored. Encryption provides security by allowing
administrators to store and send data via insecure channels.
If the password or key is lost, the user will be unable to open the
encrypted file. Using simpler keys in data encryption, on the other hand,
makes the data insecure, and anybody may access it at any time.
We use cookies to ensure youimproves
Encryption have the bestthe
browsing experience
security on our
of our website. By using our
information.
site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Cookie Policy & Privacy Policy
 Disadvantages of Data Encryption
If the password or key is lost, the user will be unable to open the
encrypted file. Using simpler keys in data encryption, on the other hand,
makes the data insecure, and anybody may access it at any time.
Data encryption is a valuable data security approach that necessitates a
lot of resources, such as data processing, time consumption, and the use
of numerous encryption and decryption algorithms. As a result, it is a
somewhat costly approach.
Data protection solutions might be difficult to utilize when the user layers
them for contemporary systems and applications. This might have a
negative influence on the device’s normal operations.
If a company fails to realize any of the restrictions imposed by encryption
techniques, it is possible to set arbitrary expectations and requirements
that might undermine data encryption protection.

Data Encryption Algorithms

Depending on the use case, there are a variety of data encryption algorithms
to choose from, but the following are the most commonly used:

DES (Data Encryption Standard) is an old symmetric encryption

algorithm that is no longer considered suitable for modern applications.
As a result, DES has been superseded by other encryption algorithms.
Triple DES (3DES or TDES): Encrypts, decrypts, and encrypts again to
create a longer key length by running the DES algorithm three times. It
may be run with a single key, two keys, or three separate keys to increase
security. 3DES is vulnerable to attacks such as block collisions since it
uses a block cipher.
RSA is a one-way asymmetric encryption algorithm that was one of the
first public-key algorithms. Because of its long key length, RSA is popular
and widely used on the Internet. It is used by browsers to create secure
connections over insecure networks and is part of many security protocols
such as SSH, OpenPGP, S/MIME, and SSL/TLS.
Twofish is one of the fastest algorithms, with sizes of 128, 196, and 256
bits and a complex key structure for added security. It is available for free
and is included in some of the best free software, including VeraCrypt,
PeaZip, and KeePass, as well as the OpenPGP standard.
Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) was created as an upgrade to RSA
and offers better security with significantly shorter key lengths. In the
We use cookies to ensure you have the best browsing experience on our website. By using our
SSL/TLS
site, you acknowledge protocol,
that ECC
you have read andisunderstood
an asymmetric
our Cookie method.
Policy & Privacy Policy
 The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is the encryption standard
used by the US government. The AES algorithm is a symmetric-key
algorithm that employs block cipher methods. It comes in sizes of 128,
192, and 256 bits, with the number of rounds of encryption increasing as
the size increases. It was designed to be simple to implement in both
hardware and software.

Conclusion
Encryption is a way of turning readable data into a secret code so that only
authorized people can access it. It protects important information whether
it’s being sent from one place to another or stored on a device from being
seen by anyone who doesn’t have the right key to unlock it.

As we share and store more personal, financial, and business data online,
encryption becomes more important. It helps keep our information safe,
builds trust, and supports secure communication around the world.

Frequently Asked Question on Data Encryption

What happens when data is not encrypted?

It leads to Data Tampering. Encryption preserves the integrity of your

emails in addition to their confidentiality. Emails are vulnerable to
manipulation during transit if they are not encrypted.

How safe is it to use encryption?

The information that is encrypted cannot be read or processed until it

has been decrypted. The basic building element of Data security is
encryption.

Is data encryption unbreakable?

No encryption is completely unbreakable.

We use cookies to ensure you have the best browsing experience on our website. By using our
site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Cookie Policy & Privacy Policy
 What are the Challenges to Contemporary Encryption?

Contemporary encryption faces ongoing challenges such as the rapid

advancement of quantum computing, which could break current
cryptographic methods. Additionally, balancing strong security with
user convenience and regulatory compliance remains difficult.

Dreaming of M.Tech in IIT? Get AIR under 100 with our GATE 2026 CSE &
DA courses! Get flexible weekday/weekend options, live mentorship, and
mock tests. Access exclusive features like All India Mock Tests, and
Doubt Solving—your GATE success starts now!

Comment More info Advertise with us Next Article

Encryption, Its Algorithms And Its
Future

Similar Reads
Difference between Software Encryption and Hardware Encryption
Encryption is a vital component in securing digital information, and it can be
implemented in two primary ways: the first type is known as software…

8 min read

Difference Between Homomorphic Encryption and End-to-End Encryption

Homomorphic Encryption and End-to-End Encryption are two ways to protect
data. Homomorphic Encryption allows computations on encrypted data witho…

3 min read

Difference Between Data Encryption and Data Compression

Data Compression and Data Encryption are two important methods of
protecting and managing data. While both of these processes can help protec…
We use cookies to read
5 min ensure you have the best browsing experience on our website. By using our
site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Cookie Policy & Privacy Policy
 Difference Between Data Encryption and Data Masking
Protecting private data has become compulsory for businesses. It is not just
about following privacy laws. It is also about earning and keeping customers'…

3 min read

Simplified Data Encryption Standard Key Generation

Simplified Data Encryption Standard (S-DES) is a simple version of the DES
Algorithm. It is similar to the DES algorithm but is a smaller algorithm and has…

3 min read

Strength of Data encryption standard (DES)

Data encryption standard (DES) is a symmetric key block cipher algorithm. The
algorithm is based on Feistel network. The algorithm uses a 56-bit key to…

2 min read

Simplified Data Encryption Standard | Set 2

Prerequisite - Simplified Data Encryption Standard | Set 1 Simplified Data
Encryption Standard is a simple version of Data Encryption Standard having a…

13 min read

Why is Encryption Important in Securing Data Transmission Over…

Answer: Encryption is basically important for securing data transmission over
Networks, because it makes shows that sensitive information remains private…

2 min read

RC4 Encryption Algorithm

RC4 is a stream cipher and variable-length key algorithm. This algorithm
encrypts one byte at a time (or larger units at a time). A key input is a…

6 min read

RC5 Encryption Algorithm

RC5 is a symmetric key block encryption algorithm designed by Ron Rivest in
1994. It is notable for being simple, fast (on account of using only primitive…
We use cookies to ensure you have the best browsing experience on our website. By using our
9 min read that you have read and understood our Cookie Policy & Privacy Policy
site, you acknowledge
 Corporate & Communications Address:
A-143, 7th Floor, Sovereign Corporate
Tower, Sector- 136, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
(201305)

Registered Address:
K 061, Tower K, Gulshan Vivante
Apartment, Sector 137, Noida, Gautam
Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, 201305

Advertise with us

Company Explore Languages DSA Data Science & Web

About Us Job-A-Thon Hiring Python Data Structures ML Technologies
Legal Challenge Java Algorithms Data Science With HTML
Privacy Policy Hack-A-Thon C++ DSA for Beginners Python CSS
Careers GfG Weekly PHP Basic DSA Data Science For JavaScript
In Media Contest GoLang Problems Beginner TypeScript
Contact Us Offline Classes SQL DSA Roadmap Machine Learning ReactJS
GfG Corporate (Delhi/NCR) R Language DSA Interview ML Maths NextJS
Solution DSA in JAVA/C++ Android Tutorial Questions Data Visualisation NodeJs
Placement Master System Competitive Pandas Bootstrap
Training Program Design Programming NumPy Tailwind CSS
Master CP NLP
GeeksforGeeks Deep Learning
Videos
Geeks Community

Python Computer DevOps System Design School Software and

Tutorial Science Git High Level Design Subjects Tools
Python GATE CS Notes AWS Low Level Design Mathematics AI Tools Directory
Programming Operating Systems Docker UML Diagrams Physics Marketing Tools
Examples Computer Kubernetes Interview Guide Chemistry Directory
Django Tutorial Network Azure Design Patterns Biology Accounting
Python Projects Database GCP OOAD Social Science Software Directory
Python Tkinter Management DevOps Roadmap System Design English Grammar HR Management
We use cookies
Web Scraping to ensure you
System have the best browsing experience on our website.
Bootcamp By using our Tools
site, you Tutorial
OpenCV acknowledge that you have read and understood our Cookie Policy & Privacy Policy
 Python Interview Software Interview Editing Software
Question Engineering Questions Directory
Digital Logic Microsoft Products
Design and Apps
Engineering Maths Figma Tutorial

Databases Preparation Competitive More Tutorials Free Online Write & Earn
SQL Corner Exams Software Tools Write an Article
MYSQL Company-Wise JEE Advanced Development Typing Test Improve an Article
PostgreSQL Recruitment UGC NET Software Testing Image Editor Pick Topics to
PL/SQL Process UPSC Product Code Formatters Write
MongoDB Resume Templates SSC CGL Management Code Converters Share your
Aptitude SBI PO Project Currency Experiences
Preparation SBI Clerk Management Converter Internships
Puzzles IBPS PO Linux Random Number
Company-Wise IBPS Clerk Excel Generator
Preparation All Cheat Sheets Random Password
Companies Recent Articles Generator
Colleges

DSA/ Development/ Machine Programming Clouds/ GATE 2026

Placements Testing Learning/Data Languages Devops GATE CS Rank
Booster
DSA - Self Paced JavaScript Full Science C Programming DevOps
Course Course with Data Engineering GATE DA Rank
Complete Machine
DSA in JavaScript - React JS Course Structures AWS Solutions Booster
Learning & Data
Self Paced Course React Native C++ Programming Architect GATE CS & IT
Science Program -
DSA in Python - Course Course Certification Course - 2026
[LIVE]
Self Paced Django Web Java Programming Salesforce GATE DA Course
Data Analytics
C Programming Development Course Certified 2026
Training using
Course Online - Course Python Full Course Administrator GATE Rank
Excel, SQL, Python
Learn C with Data Complete Course Predictor
& PowerBI - [LIVE]
Structures Bootstrap Course Data Science
Complete Full Stack Training Program -
Interview Development - [LIVE]
Preparation [LIVE] Mastering
Master JAVA Backend Generative AI and
Competitive Development - ChatGPT
Programming [LIVE] Data Science
Core CS Subject Complete Course with IBM
for Interview Software Testing Certification
Preparation Course [LIVE]
Mastering System Android Mastery
Design: LLD to HLD with Kotlin [LIVE]
Tech Interview 101
- From DSA to
System Design
[LIVE]
DSA to
Development
We use cookies to ensure you have the best browsing experience on our website. By using our
[HYBRID]
site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Cookie Policy & Privacy Policy
 Placement
Preparation Crash
Course [LIVE]

@GeeksforGeeks, Sanchhaya Education Private Limited, All rights reserved

We use cookies to ensure you have the best browsing experience on our website. By using our
site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Cookie Policy & Privacy Policy