As the threat landscape grows increasingly complex, the need to protect critical systems and data only becomes more important. That’s why cybersecurity professionals must have a thorough understanding of cryptography and cryptography tools. Cryptography tools are used to build secure systems and networks that can defend against hackers and other bad actors. Here are 5 cryptography tools every cyber security professional needs to know about.
What is Cryptography?
Cryptography, also interchangingly known as Encryption, is a security mechanism that hides information from people who shouldn’t see it. It has many uses. For example, governments might use encryption to keep secrets from spies or enemies; companies might use it to protect financial data from hackers; and individuals might use it to keep their email messages private. Encryption relies on complex mathematical formulas – algorithms – that are supposed to scramble up data so only someone with a secret key can unlock and read it again.
Importance of Cryptography tools
Encryption tools or cryptographic security mechanisms play a critical role in protecting sensitive data and information secure from unauthorized access and from malicious attacks. In fact, a report issued by the Ponemon Institute revealed that by using robust encryption and enforcing cybersecurity tactics, businesses can save on average $1.4 million for each attack.
In addition to this, experts have also reported that seven million unencrypted data records are compromised every day. In order to tackle the rising rates of cybercrimes, companies throughout the world have doubled their efforts to implement encryption technologies for the protection of their sensitive data. Imperva 2020 Cyberthreat Defense Report showed that 93% of companies plan to or already have API gateway encryption in place to avoid a data breach.
In order to fortify computer system defenses, cyber security professionals need a good understanding of cryptography and cryptography tools. Encryption tools maximize privacy and security of critical information through various cryptography techniques and encryption standards and have become a necessary security defense mechanism against today’s modern cybersecurity threats. Whether you are studying in a cybersecurity course or are looking to learn and leverage cryptography tools to maximize your organization’s security, learning how to implement cryptography tools is crucial for ensuring business security.
Top Five Cryptography Tools
Cyber security professionals need a good understanding of cryptography and cryptography tools to set up and run secure computer systems and networks. Here are top 5 cryptography tools cyber security professionals can use to build and fortify their computer system defenses.
- PGP (Pretty Good Privacy)
PGP or Pretty Good Privacy is an encryption method that protects information from unauthorized access. It’s an effective, easy-to-use and open source cryptography tool. PGP stands for Pretty Good Privacy, though its creator originally intended it to be called Pretty Good and not PGP. This program can be used for encrypting any type of text data such as personal communications, documents, emails, files and folders etc. Encrypted data looks like random text if someone tries to read it without a decryption key.
- GPG (Gnu Privacy Guard)
GPG is a free, open-source encryption program designed for use by normal computer users. It provides strong cryptography so you can securely communicate and store data without worrying about eavesdroppers or hackers, whether they are governments, criminals or other parties. GPG works on Windows, Mac OS X and GNU/Linux operating systems and supports all major email clients including Microsoft Outlook and Thunderbird. It’s also available in plug-in form for Web browsers like Firefox and Chrome.
- OTR (Off The Record Messaging)
OTR (Off The Record Messaging) is an encryption protocol that allows users of Pidgin instant messaging software and Adium instant messaging software to communicate securely. The encryption used in OTR relies on a combination of Diffie-Hellman key exchange and AES symmetric-key cryptography. Users must register with an XMPP server, but all communications are end-to-end encrypted between clients.
- TrueCrypt
TrueCrypt is an open-source cross-platform disk encryption software for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux that allows you to create a virtual encrypted disk within a file or partition. You can then store any kind of files in there — from documents and photos to music — and no one can get in.
- VeraCrypt
VeraCrypt is a free disk encryption software utility. It can create virtual encrypted disks within files and mount them as real disks. Encryption algorithms available for use include AES, Serpent, Twofish, and others. On top of its encryption tools, VeraCrypt also sports tools to compress your data and fill up unused disk space with dummy data (known as anti-forensics). The program’s interface is easy to use and powerful at once.
If you’re working as a cyber security professional, you have to make sure your computer systems and networks are safe against the threats that the internet may provide. It doesn’t matter if you’re a programmer developing new apps, or an online retailer building your customer base, or an admin trying to protect your company from outside intruders – everyone who uses the internet has to be aware of the potential risks and how to tackle them.
