It’s rather easy to get lost in the many terminologies found in conversations about cybersecurity. Looking at encryption vs decryption, they might sound similar, but they come with pretty different focus areas. The short version is that encryption makes sure that only authorized users can read the data. Whereas with decryption, you’re getting a restoration of data to its original and usable form.
You’ve likely heard both of these words before, but context definitely matters when it comes to network security and all of the associated hardware. As a whole, the fundamentals behind these words support data confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity through efforts like digital signatures.
It can get a lot more complex than this, but it doesn’t have to turn into a headache just to benefit from what they bring to your network security strategy. This article provides a clear look into encryption vs decryption to help you avoid any confusion when it comes to your network security setup.
Encrypted vs Decrypted Data
Diving a little deeper into the topic, encrypted data changes from plaintext to unreadable ciphertext. This works to protect sensitive data points from unauthorized access. Decrypted data restores data to its original format, while still guaranteeing that only authorized access is allowed. They work in opposite directions, with both minimizing vulnerabilities along the way.
A few real-world use cases you’re likely used to encountering include end-to-end encrypted messaging, secure web browsing, and email security. From the business world to our everyday lives, you can easily find encryption and decryption at play. At the same time, it’s pretty important to understand how they handle data and what makes them different for the sake of your company’s network security.
What is Encryption?
In today’s world, encryption is seen as a pretty base-level security solution, but many people don’t truly understand how it works. It’s a core component of safeguarding your data while maintaining its integrity through authenticity verification. While protecting your business from data breaches requires a multi-layered strategy, encryption is definitely a part of that.
Here are a few unique elements about encryption that make it so important for your network security:
- Protects all of your most sensitive internal business data, from financial records to intellectual property, and more
- Reduces the risk of cyber threats during the transmission or storage of critical data points
- Helps you maintain compliance with security regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and more
- Prevents unauthorized tampering with important data, maintaining accuracy and integrity
- Acts as a measure of reassurance to clients and customers interacting with your business
Encrypted file sharing for business use cases is easy to understand, but there are times when decryption is needed as well. It’s important not to look at decryption in the light of lacking security, because that’s not at all what it’s meant to be used for.
What is Decryption?
Outside of different encryption methods, sometimes you need decryption to access certain data that’s unreadable if it is encrypted. By turning data back into readable plaintext, it can be reviewed, but only by authorized users. That doesn’t mean you can overlook security measures, but there shouldn’t be any irrational fear behind using decryption when it’s needed most.
In comparison, the list below offers a quick gist of how decryption works from several angles:
- Decryption works to restore scrambled data for ease of access and usability
- Keys, in this context, are used to unlock data points
- It provides access to data, but only for authorized users
- Decryption-specific algorithms decode the information rather than turning it into ciphertext
- Works to enforce access control, but doesn’t compromise your network security
Don’t let the similar terminology fool you here, as both of these security practices go hand in hand. Both of these practices secure data in their own ways, but are applied to their own specific use cases.
The context of encryption vs decryption isn’t about which one to choose, but understanding how they work and where they’re applied to your network security. Their application can be seen in various layers, such as network security firewalls and VPNs. Multiple angles of security architecture make use of them, while delivering a layered protection to your network as a whole.
Encryption vs Decryption With a Side-by-Side Overview
If you’re still finding yourself a little lost between the two, the table below has the direct comparison you’re looking for. Both will be relevant to modern business security for many years to come, so it’d be wise to get up to speed on function and utilization.
| Category | Encryption | Decryption |
|---|---|---|
| Defining Action | Converts plaintext into ciphertext | Converts ciphertext back into readable plaintext |
| Processing Point | Sender’s end | Receiver’s end |
| Data Flow | Data is encrypted by the sender before it reaches the receiver | Receiver decrypts the ciphertext to gain access to the original message |
| Core Purpose | Protects data by making it unreadable to unauthorized users | Restores original message to make it accessible to authorized users only |
| Output | Unreadable ciphertext | Original and readable plaintext message |
There’s no need to overcomplicate terminology that’s actually a lot simpler than it sounds. Both of these processes have been around for a long time and are more prevalent in our everyday lives than ever before. In the business world, it’s a crucial component of network security. Internal data should be accessible, but not at the risk of compromising its integrity or accessibility to the right people.
The Bottom Line
Aside from understanding the hardware you’re working with, it’s just as important to understand the terminology as well. Even if these terms sound new to you, it’s highly likely you’ve encountered their processes numerous times.
When it comes to conversations surrounding firewall security solutions, encryption vs decryption are just a few of many terms you’ll need to know for the sake of decision-making. Then again, you don’t have to do it alone, as we’re always here if you’d like to chat more about the topic and determine which security features you need most for your business.
