Cryptography

What is cryptography for information security?

Cryptography is a procedure that aims to protect information through the use of specialised coding, so that only the employees intended to view the information can understand it.

The meaning behind cryptography can be broken into 2 parts;

• ‘Crypt’ = hidden or vault
• ‘Graphy’ = writing

Cryptography works by using algorithms and mathematical communication techniques that make the information difficult to read if read across the web.

If you’re thinking about how cryptography may impact your life from day to day, these algorithms are used to protect data privacy, web browsing through the internet, email communication and credit card transactions online. Therefore, it plays a very important role in not only your organisation, but everyday life.

What are the types of cryptography?

Cryptography can include merging words with images and using microdots to hide information when being stored or transferred.

The most common type of cryptography through, is the scrambling of plain text into a process called encryption then unscrambling the text back again (called decryption).

Why is cryptography important?

Cryptography has a strong importance for organisations trying to effectively manage their information security system, as it helps to achieve the goals of confidentiality, authentication, and integrity.

Let’s take a look at these individually;

• Confidentiality: This will ensure the information will not be able to be deciphered by anyone that it was unintended for.
• Authentication: This ensures that the sender/receiver can confirm the correct identify of one another and where the information is being sent from/to.
• Integrity: This ensures that no information will be able to be altered or changed while in transition or being stored without the alteration being detected.

Learn More:

• ISO 27001 Information Security Management Standard - Clause A10 Cryptography
• What is system acquisition, development and control? 
• What is communication security? 
• What are the 10 information security principles?