Key Points

• Data encryption protects sensitive information by converting it into unreadable code, making it inaccessible to unauthorised users.
• It ensures data confidentiality both during transmission (in transit) and when stored (at rest), safeguarding data at all times.
• Encryption helps businesses comply with regulations and prevents unauthorised access, bolstering data security and trust.
• Metomic enhances data security with regular vulnerability scans, patch management, penetration testing, and end-to-end encryption, using TLS and advanced AES encryption for data at-rest and in-transit.

With cyber threats growing in sophistication and businesses leaning heavily on SaaS (Software as a Service) applications, keeping your data secure is more important than ever.

Data encryption plays a crucial role in this effort. By transforming readable data into an unreadable format, encryption ensures that only authorised users can access it, shielding your information from prying eyes.

In this article, we’ll explore the fundamentals of data encryption, including why it’s essential in the modern digital landscape. We’ll also discuss its benefits and how it can be a powerful tool in protecting your business from cyber attacks.

What is data encryption?

At its core, data encryption is a method used to protect sensitive information by converting it into a format that is unreadable to anyone who doesn't have the appropriate decryption key.

Here's a simple example: imagine you have a plain text document, like a company’s financial report. When you encrypt this document, it is transformed into ciphertext—essentially a jumble of characters that make no sense without the decryption key.

If a cybercriminal intercepted this encrypted document, they’d see only the meaningless ciphertext and be unable to access the actual information.

Encryption isn’t just about keeping data secure—it’s also crucial for ensuring compliance, and it helps meet compliance requirements by securing data both in transit and at rest.

In fact, encryption is so vital that a significant number of professionals - 33% of IT, compliance, DevOps, and cybersecurity experts - identify the lack of encryption as the leading cause of data loss.

How does data encryption work?

Data encryption is all about turning readable data into an unreadable format to keep it safe from prying eyes. It's a critical practice, with 68% of organisations using encryption to protect their cloud-based sensitive data.

So, how does it actually work?

Imagine you have some plaintext, or readable data. Encryption algorithms like Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) take this plaintext and scramble it into ciphertext, a jumbled mess that makes no sense without the correct decryption key.

AES is quick and secure, working by encrypting data in blocks using a unique key for each. On the other hand, RSA uses two keys: a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption.

This way, even if someone gets hold of the public key, they can't decrypt the data without the private key.

Types of data encryption

When it comes to data encryption, there are two main types: symmetric and asymmetric encryption. Each has its own strengths and specific use cases.

Symmetric Encryption

Symmetric encryption uses a single key for both encryption and decryption. This method is fast and efficient, making it ideal for encrypting large amounts of data. Common examples include the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and Data Encryption Standard (DES).

AES is widely used because it is highly secure and can handle large blocks of data quickly. DES, though older, laid the groundwork for modern encryption methods. Symmetric encryption is often used in applications where speed is crucial, such as database encryption and securing data at rest.

Asymmetric Encryption

Asymmetric encryption, on the other hand, uses two keys: a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. This method is more secure because even if one key is compromised, the data remains safe - but it is also more resource-intensive.

Examples of asymmetric encryption algorithms include Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA), used in SSL/TLS protocols that secure websites, and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), which is increasingly used in mobile devices and small-scale applications.

Benefits of data encryption in SaaS environments

Data encryption is such a powerful tool that according to the Ponemon Institute, 50% of organisations now have a consistent encryption strategy.

Encryption offers numerous benefits for businesses, especially in an era where cyber threats are constantly evolving. Let’s delve a little deeper into these:

1. Protects data confidentiality

One of the primary benefits of data encryption is that it protects the confidentiality of your data. By converting sensitive information into unreadable code, encryption ensures that only authorised individuals can access it.

Prevents cyber attacks

Encryption acts as a robust defence against cyber attacks. By encrypting data, businesses make it significantly harder for hackers to access and exploit sensitive information.

2. Supports Compliance with Regulations

Many industries are subject to strict data protection regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.

Encryption helps businesses comply with these regulations by ensuring that sensitive data is protected both in transit and at rest.

3. Secures Data in Transit and at Rest

Encryption is vital for protecting data at all stages. Whether data is being transferred over networks or stored on servers, encryption ensures it remains secure.

This is particularly important for businesses that rely on cloud services and remote work environments, where data is frequently transmitted over potentially insecure networks.

In 2023, 68% of organisations used cloud platforms for sensitive data, and 58% of them employed encryption to protect it.

4. Enhances Customer Trust

When customers know their data is being protected with strong encryption measures, their trust in a business increases.

This trust can translate into customer loyalty and a positive reputation, which are invaluable assets for any company.

Data encryption vs. data masking

When securing sensitive information, data encryption and data masking each play a distinct role.

• Data Encryption transforms readable data into unreadable ciphertext, which can only be reverted to its original form with a decryption key. This is crucial for protecting data both in transit and at rest, such as encrypting customer details in cloud storage to keep them secure.
• Data Masking involves replacing real data with fictitious or obfuscated data, preserving its format while hiding its true content. This is useful in non-production environments, like during testing, where actual data isn’t necessary.

In essence, use data encryption for comprehensive data security, and data masking for obscuring data during development or testing. Understanding their distinct purposes helps you choose the right method for your needs.

Challenges and downsides of data encryption

While data encryption is a vital security measure, it does come with its own set of challenges.

1. Key Management Complexities

Handling encryption keys can be tricky. If keys are lost or compromised, encrypted data may become inaccessible or vulnerable. Effective key management strategies are essential but can be complex and require careful planning.

2. Performance Considerations

Encryption can introduce computational overhead, which might impact system performance. This is particularly noticeable in high-traffic environments where data is frequently encrypted and decrypted.

3. Potential Vulnerabilities

Despite its strength, encryption isn’t foolproof. Vulnerabilities can arise from weak algorithms or improper implementations. Keeping up with the latest encryption standards and best practices helps mitigate these risks.

In 2022, nearly 40% of organisations reported that only 21-40% of their sensitive cloud data was encrypted. This highlights the ongoing challenge of ensuring comprehensive encryption and managing the associated complexities effectively.

How Metomic can help

Metomic provides robust encryption solutions to enhance your data security. Here’s how:

• End-to-End Encryption: Metomic ensures comprehensive data security by implementing end-to-end encryption, protecting data throughout its entire lifecycle.
• Data-at-Rest and In-Transit Encryption: Our platform uses transport layer security (TLS) with advanced AES encryption to secure data both at rest and in transit.
• Regular Security Measures: We conduct regular vulnerability scanning, patch management, and penetration testing to identify and address potential security threats promptly.
• Compliance: Metomic maintains stringent security standards to comply with SOC2 certification, demonstrating a commitment to data protection and regulatory compliance.

By using Metomic, you can enhance your data protection strategy, keeping sensitive information secure in all scenarios.

How to get started with Metomic

Ready to bolster your data encryption efforts? Getting started with Metomic is easy and can significantly enhance your data security. Here’s how you can dive in:

Risk assessment scans

Begin by exploring our free risk assessment scans to evaluate your current data security practices. We offer assessments for platforms like Google Drive, Slack, Jira, and ChatGPT.

These scans provide a snapshot of your organisation’s security ecosystem and how Metomic can improve your data protection efforts.

Book a personalised demo

For a more detailed view, book a personalised demo with our team of security experts. They’ll show you how Metomic’s solutions can be tailored to your organisation’s needs.