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Data Encryption: Four Things You Need to Know

Protect your data with these tips!

By Damien JustusPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
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In this day and age of the internet, you can never be too safe or protected. There are a multitude of ways that hackers and cybercriminals can invade your privacy and compromise your important data. If you work at or run an important business, then keeping your information secure from cybercrime is critical. Although there are many ways that your online data can be compromised by malicious intruders, so too are there many ways you can protect your data from being hacked, one of which is data encryption. Read on to see four important things you should know about this specific method of keeping your data safe.

1. The Basics

First, a brief explanation of what data encryption is. Encryption refers to the act of scrambling words into an alternate form. In a digital context, data encryption takes your important information and rearranges the code to protect it from being compromised by hackers. In other words, it is a form of network security. Data encryption is a complex but essential form of protecting your information from potential cyberattacks, using different formats to do so, such as TLS. The next question you may have is what is TLS?

2. Understanding SSL and TLS

TLS, or Transport Layer Security, is essentially a more effective and secure format of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), an encryption and decryption method which keeps internet connections secure. SSL was created as a cyber protection method, but as time went on, cybercriminals became more inclusive and efficient in their techniques to bypass such security measures, which resulted in a replacement being required for SSL. From this, TLS came forth as a more secure measure of data encryption. TLS serves the same function as SSL: it is a cryptographic protocol that protects data and ensures privacy over online networks, but it is a more advanced and secure form of doing so as opposed to SSL.

Much like network security as a blanket format of protection and privacy, data encryption is necessary and takes many forms in terms of tech and software. It is a crucial first step to the network security process, which means it is an essential form of protection tech you should look for when looking to make your network’s data private. Next, you should understand which forms of data encryption tech work for you and what you will need to fit your specific privacy needs online.

3. The Different Forms of Data Encryption Tech

Data encryption is a complex form of security that uses different cryptographic protocols. Now that you understand what data encryption is and how it is useful to you, the next step is to understand what kinds of tech use this form of cyber protection, and what exactly these programs do in regards to encrypting your data.

There are various software programs that utilize encryption tools. These tools keep your information such as passwords and security codes protected and safe by use of encryption keys. Encryption keys can be rotated and changed with a set frequency. When using encryption tech, you must keep up to date as well as keep your information separated and not kept in one location to prevent intrusion from hackers.

4. What Else You Should Use

If you run a major business and have crucial information you need to protect, then your data is a high target for potential cybercriminals. Encryption is essential to your network security, but it is not the only way you should protect your data. Cybersecurity takes many forms, such as firewalls, virtual private networks (VPNs), anti-virus software, among many other software programs. While data encryption is a necessary privacy format, depending on the severity of the information you want to protect, it is only the first step.

Use your best judgment on how to protect your data. Having an understanding of data encryption and how it works will go a long way towards keeping you and your company safe

cybersecurity
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