Contact us today!
866-348-2602

Total Tech Care Blog

Total Tech Care has been serving Florida since 2001, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Know Your Tech: Encryption Key

Know Your Tech: Encryption Key

Security is a necessity. Every technology professional will tell you this, but in an age where employees are taking information on the go, it’s trickier than it’s ever been before. Encryption is one of the ways that businesses are attempting to shore up their security, but this also requires having an encryption key. This week’s technology term is all about encryption, as well as how encryption keys protect your business’ data.

Defining Encryption and Encryption Keys
Encryption is the act of scrambling your organization's data so that it can’t be seen by prying eyes. Anyone who doesn’t have the encryption key will see nothing but a bunch of nonsense. Through the use of algorithms, these keys are guaranteed to be unique, meaning that there are no two patterns that are alike. Of course, depending on the type of encryption being used, there could be one or two keys needed to decrypt information.

Symmetric algorithm: Symmetric algorithms are often called secret key encryption. This uses one key to encrypt and decrypt data. Since this makes for an efficient encryption method, it can be used to encrypt large amounts of data. The bad side of this encryption is that it only uses one single encryption key, so you need to make sure that it remains in your possession at all times.

Asymmetric algorithm: Asymmetric algorithms are commonly used in public/private encryption, in which there are two keys involved. The public key--the one used to encrypt data--can be shared, whereas the other--the private key--is private, and used to decrypt the data later. Asymmetric is considered the more secure of the two options, since the private key that decrypts the data isn’t actually shared.

What Are These Keys Used For?
Encryption keys are used for a variety of objectives, but the ultimate goal is still the same: security of both the data and the encryption keys themselves. The strength of the encryption key depends on several variables, including the length of the symmetric keys and the algorithm used to create it. These keys usually have short shelf lives called a crypto-period, meaning that you should understand details about how the encryption key will be used before committing to it and expecting it to work for you indefinitely.

  • Data encryption keys: These keys prevent data from being read by anyone who isn’t authorized to view it. These keys are also held onto for a bit past their crypto-period.
  • Authentication keys: An authentication key is used to determine that the data encrypted has not been altered at all while it’s in transit. This is ideal for sending and receiving data so that authenticity is guaranteed.
  • Digital signature keys: Digital signature keys are similar to authentication keys, but they take it a step further by applying a digital signature to the user. This means that someone who digitally signs a document can’t actually deny that they’ve done so.
  • Root keys: The public key infrastructure is used for authentication and digital signatures, and the root key is the highest level of key in this infrastructure. Due to the importance of this key, it’s generally protected by a hardware security module.
  • Master keys: A master key can be used to encrypt multiple other keys. This means that they need to be extremely secure with a hardware security module, and they should last for a long time, if not forever.
  • Key encryption keys: These keys can transport other encryption keys. They should be long-lasting and unchanging.

Does your organization want to take full advantage of encryption? To get started, reach out to us at 866-348-2602.

 

Comments

No comments made yet. Be the first to submit a comment
Already Registered? Login Here
Guest
Wednesday, 02 April 2025
If you'd like to register, please fill in the username, password and name fields.

Blog Archive

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

  • First Name *
  • Last Name *

      Free Consultation

      Sign up today for a
      FREE Network Consultation

      How secure is your IT infrastructure?
      Let us evaluate it for free!

      Sign up Now!

      Free Consultation
       

      Tag Cloud

      Security Tip of the Week Technology Best Practices Business Computing Cloud Privacy Hackers Productivity Hosted Solutions Efficiency Software Network Security Business Google Microsoft Internet Email Malware Workplace Tips Backup Innovation Data User Tips Computer Mobile Devices Hardware IT Services Android VoIP Disaster Recovery communications Smartphones Communication Business Continuity IT Support Miscellaneous Smartphone Mobile Device Browser Small Business Network Collaboration Productivity Cybersecurity Quick Tips Users Business Management Upgrade Phishing Windows Managed IT Services Ransomware Data Backup Outsourced IT Windows 10 Server Save Money Data Recovery Cloud Computing Office Windows 10 Passwords Chrome Gadgets Virtualization Social Media Tech Term Saving Money Holiday Managed IT Services Microsoft Office Automation Managed Service Operating System Facebook Artificial Intelligence Computers Cybercrime IT Support Internet of Things Hacking Wi-Fi Health BYOD Mobile Device Management Networking Spam Remote Managed Service Provider Office 365 Telephone Systems Alert Covid-19 Information Technology Information Router BDR Social Engineering Mobility Recovery Employer-Employee Relationship Bandwidth Remote Monitoring Law Enforcement Big Data App History Mobile Computing Password Money Human Resources Application Encryption Applications Data Breach Government Private Cloud Blockchain Office Tips How To Paperless Office Training Managed IT VPN Apps Data Storage Patch Management Remote Computing Mobile Office Servers Avoiding Downtime Data Security Wireless Flexibility Bring Your Own Device Marketing Gmail Data Management Work/Life Balance WiFi Settings IT solutions Entertainment Infrastructure Website Voice over Internet Protocol Budget Vulnerability Two-factor Authentication Windows 7 Word Google Drive Mouse HaaS User Error Keyboard Vendor Management Meetings Risk Management Hacker Vendor Save Time Managed Services Staff The Internet of Things Software as a Service Display Telephone System Lithium-ion battery Machine Learning Connectivity Remote Work Cleaning Employee/Employer Relationship Firewall RMM Conferencing USB End of Support Virtual Reality Education Apple Physical Security Scam Safety Social HIPAA Sports Redundancy Data Protection Procurement Proactive IT Workplace Strategy Comparison Net Neutrality Unsupported Software Wearable Technology Best Practice CES Hard Drives Help Desk Retail YouTube Charger Black Market Printing Instant Messaging Robot Compliance Excel Content Management OneNote Business Technology Computer Care Current Events Access Control Biometrics Document Management Telephony Virtual Desktop Managed Services Provider Solid State Drive Virtual Assistant Wireless Technology Samsung Downtime Authentication Virus Database How to DDoS Remote Workers Unified Threat Management Value SharePoint Data storage Computer Accessories Automobile Spam Blocking Electronic Medical Records Processor Update Computing Infrastructure Customer Service Hiring/Firing Hard Drive Going Green Environment Google Docs Printer Identity Theft Bluetooth Fax Server Computing Battery SaaS Shadow IT Augmented Reality Legal Business Intelligence Fraud IT Consultant Audit Internet Exlporer Worker Remote Worker Network Congestion Digital Signage IT Management eWaste Botnet PDF Cryptocurrency Humor IT Plan Relocation Workers Cache AI Benefits Amazon Web Services IT Infrastructure Criminal Bing FENG Safe Mode FinTech Shortcut GDPR Consultant IBM Hosted Computing Social Network Cost Management Video Games Worker Commute Flash Wireless Internet Social Networking Analytics Smart Technology Online Shopping Investment Employee/Employer Relationships Experience File Sharing Employees Camera Windows 365 Best Available Supercomputer Inventory Specifications ISP Scalability Software Tips Business Owner Sync Running Cable WIndows 7 Emails Wire Video Conferencing Evernote ROI Bitcoin Memory Travel Shortcuts Sales NarrowBand Printers Point of Sale Personal Millennials Cryptomining Search iPhone Netflix Smart Office Supply Chain Management Two Factor Authentication Wireless Charging Batteries Root Cause Analysis Monitoring Virtual Private Network Windows 8.1 Knowledge Digitize Music Workforce HBO Skype User Files PowerPoint Cables Windows Server 2008 R2 Science Windows Media Player Data loss Customer relationships Chromecast Outlook Project Management Email Best Practices Leadership Nanotechnology IT Assessment Troubleshooting Telecommuting Manufacturing Start Menu Distributed Denial of Service Managing Stress Colocation Customer Relationship Management Uninterrupted Power Supply Cortana Loyalty Digital Signature Managed IT Service Analyitcs Security Cameras Screen Mirroring Computer Tips Frequently Asked Questions Warranty Virtual CIO Monitor OneDrive Programming Cameras Books Biometric Security Mobile Windows 10s HVAC Peripheral Google Apps Analysis Using Data Cast Digital Security Cameras Tip of the week Administrator Antivirus Reputation webinar Devices Copiers Streaming Media Emergency 5G Windows 8 Content Professional Services Public Cloud Enterprise Content Management Quick Tip Tech Support Employer Employee Relationship IT service Laptop Assessment Accountants Smartwatch Techology MSP Ergonomics Windows Server 2008 Microchip Customers Thought Leadership Development Printer Server Credit Cards OLED Tablet Audiobook Tools Password Management PCI DSS Password Manager Virtual Machine 2FA Domains Touchpad Television Fiber Optics Multi-Factor Security Employee Search Engine Twitter Messaging Cabling Business Mangement Hypervisor Politics IaaS Advertising NIST Policy Maintenance Dark mode Public Computer Smart Tech Trend Micro Bloatware Trending Regulations Addiction SMS Notifications Transportation Amazon Default App Recycling Saving Time Tablets Computer Fan Procedure Rootkit Wiring dark theme Practices Shopping Entrepreneur Google Search

      Top Blog

      The reasoning for this is simple: you want to make sure that operations are proceeding as intended, even if you’re not there. If you completely check out from the workplace every time you leave, you could return from your vacation to a complete and total disaster that may have been prevented with y...
      QR-Code