Data encryption is altering data into another format or code such that access to the data is
restricted to those with the required decryption key (or password).
Encrypted data, often known
as ciphertext, is among the most common and widely used kinds of data protection. If there is a
security breach involving ciphertext, the hackers will still be unable to view the data.
As data breaches keep making headlines, more companies are turning to encryption solutions to help
them safeguard their important assets at rest and while in transit. These encryption technologies
offer several benefits, some of which are detailed below.
- Data encryption protects your privacy
It should be clear why encryption safeguards your identity and data when considering the
information you have saved on your computer or smartphone. On a handset, for instance,
encryption software can make it nearly impossible for anyone without your permission to view
your information, or at least tough. Law enforcement personnel have frequently encountered
obstacles while attempting to access phone data on encrypted gadgets. Data encryption can
prevent private information from accidentally becoming public on the internet for regular users
who don’t usually worry about their smartphones turning up as evidence. - You may share your files safely, thanks to data encryption
Online file sharing is now more common than ever. People do it on forums, messenger apps,
cloud services, and social media sites like Facebook. However, it is erroneous to believe that
only the recipients of the file can view it. Everyone can access your shared files if they aren’t
encrypted. Imagine the horror of discovering your bank account number or intimate photos
dispersed around the internet after being intercepted by malevolent users. It is crucial to encrypt
your files before sharing them for one reason: doing so ensures your privacy. The files cannot be
opened by anyone else, so only you and the intended target have access. You can safely share
your data with friends, family, clients, or anybody with a service like privnote. You can
exchange information discreetly and anonymously as needed by using the cloud, email,
messenger, or any other sharing app. - Data encryption could assist you in avoiding legal penalties
Data encryption may become essential rather than optional, depending on your business or the
specific standards outlined by your organization. Patient privacy rules, for instance, mandate the
encryption of information in the healthcare industry. For violations, organizations are subject to
hefty fines. The University of Texas’s MD Anderson Cancer Center was fined $4.3 million in
one instance in June 2018 for breaking the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act,
or HIPAA. An employee’s laptop with 30,000 patient records was stolen in 2012, and two other
incidents of additional data loss were due to lost USB drives in 2012 and 2013. The data storage
devices weren’t encrypted, and when he handed out the fine, the judge who decided the case
pointed out that obvious error. Regulatory fines are a real worry in the healthcare industry and
other sectors that frequently handle sensitive information.
Data encryption is a crucial tool for data security. And if you’ve been thinking about utilizing
encryption to keep data secured, there are plenty of viable alternatives for your needs, such as
a privnote. However, when these technologies are misused, you might be misled into an illusion
of safety.