Data encryption is the method of translating information into another form or code so that access to the data is defined to only those with the proper decryption key (or password). Encrypted data is also defined as ciphertext. It is one of the most popular and extensive forms of information security. Encryption is an approach to secure digital information, by scrambling it as it travels across the web, or scrambling it when the data is "at rest" or stored on the computers.
This provides that only authorized users can decrypt (un-scramble) the data and use it. Encryption improves the privacy and confidentiality, as well as the integrity and authenticity of the data. It provides us to maintain the information secure.
All data transfers are completed using a public or private network. The public network is the Internet or some local Internet Service Provider (ISP) network used by users.
It depends on several research and studies done about the DROWN attacks or other HTTPS-related attacks, there are a lot of multiple servers with wrong HTTPS configurations which endangers the transferred information.
The major issue is that encrypted data required to be decrypted before being processed by the software logic. This decryption can be completed in several devices including firewalls, load balancers, SSL terminators, web software firewalls, and of course, software backends.
The fact that a HTTPS session is removed before the information appears at the application backend poses a major issue. It can define that if the information is decrypted before reaching the software backend logic, it can be intercepted.
There are some reasons of data encryption are as follows −
Authentication − Public key encryption validate that a website's origin server owns the private key and therefore was accurately authorized an SSL certificate. In a world where several fraudulent websites exist, this is an essential feature.
Privacy − Encryption provides that no one can read messages or access information except the legitimate recipient or information owner. This measure avoids cybercriminals, hackers, web service providers, spammers, and even government institutions from accessing and reading personal information.
Regulatory Compliance − Several industries and government departments have rules in place that needed organizations that operate with user personal information to keep that information encrypted. A sampling of regulatory and compliance standards that provide encryption such as HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and the GDPR.
Security − Encryption provides protect data from data breaches, whether the information is at rest or in transit. For instance, even if a corporate-owned device is misplaced or robbed, the data stored on it will most likely be protect if the hard drive is accurately encrypted.
Encryption also provides secure data against malicious events like man-in-the-middle attacks, and allow parties communicate without the fear of information leaks.