Cryptography in Cyber Security: All You Need to Know

If you thought that cryptography is associated with computers and the internet, then you must understand that it actually dates back thousands of years. Ancient civilisations like the Egyptians and Romans used secret writing techniques to protect military and political messages.

So, what is cryptography in cybersecurity and why is it so important? Read on to clear your doubts and to understand how it works. Also, explore a personal cyber insurance policy from Bajaj General Insurance to protect yourself from digital threats.

What is Cryptography in Cyber Security?

Cryptography is the process of converting plain information into a secret code, so that even if someone intercepts the data, they cannot understand it. It is also known as encryption, where only authorised people can read the data or use it.

The internet is not a very safe way to send information as it is considered an insecure or public channel. In cybersecurity, cryptography keeps communication safe when it travels over the internet. For example, when you send a private message, cryptography secures the message and information like your password or credit card number so that it cannot be read by hackers. The receiver of the message will only be able to read it if he has the correct decryption key. Thus, cryptography keeps sensitive information private between the sender and the receiver.

Do you know that cryptography is part of many technologies you use every day?

• HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)

When you visit a website that starts with https://, it means the site uses cryptography to secure your connection as HTTPS encrypts the data exchanged between your web browser and the website’s server.

• VPNs (Virtual Private Networks)

A VPN uses cryptography to create a secure and private tunnel between your device and the internet. It protects you when using public Wi-Fi, hides your IP address, and keeps your internet usage private.

• Digital Signatures

When someone digitally signs a file, the system generates a unique encrypted code based on the document’s contents and if anyone tries to alter the document after signing, the signature becomes invalid.

• Secure Messaging Apps

Messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram use end-to-end encryption, which means only the sender and recipient can read the messages. Even the service providers themselves cannot access the content of your chats.

Why is Cryptography Important in Cyber Security?

In today’s digital world, data is shared and stored everywhere; you store data on computers, mobile phones, and even on cloud servers and online platforms. If you make any payment or send an email, or for that matter, even log in to a website, your information travels across different networks. If this data is not protected properly, it can be intercepted and misused by hackers. At such a point in time, cryptography protects the information by making it unreadable to anyone who is not authorised to see it. Your business secrets or other important data are secured and remain private.

Here’s how cryptography helps in cyber security:

Keeps the data confidential

Cryptography keeps your data secret. It encrypts information so that only the person with the right decryption key can read it.

Ensures data is not tampered with

If someone tries to alter the message during transmission, cryptography will help in detecting the change. This will help in sending accurate and unmodified data.

Verifies the identity of users and websites

When you log in to an online account, cryptographic protocols check whether the website is The sender cannot deny sending the message

Cryptography provides proof of who sent the data and when. This feature is important for online payments and contracts.

Cryptography protects data in two main ways:

• Data when stored: Information stored on a device or cloud is encrypted so that it cannot be read if stolen.
• In transit data: When information moves through the internet, it is encrypted to prevent interception.

How Does Cryptography Work?

Cryptography changes readable information into a secret code that can be understood only by authorised users. This is how cryptography works:

1. Encryption

In encryption, the sender uses a cryptographic algorithm and a key to convert the original message or plain text into an unreadable form or cipher text. Only the person with the correct key will be able to turn the ciphertext back into the original message.

2. Transmission

In this stage, the ciphertext is sent over the internet. During this stage, even if cybercriminals capture the data, it remains useless to them because they do not have the decryption key.

3. Decryption

When the message is received, the recipient converts the encrypted message into its original readable form through decryption. The receiver uses a matching key to unlock the message.

4. Verification

Cryptography verifies that the data hasn’t been changed during transmission and that it truly comes from the right sender. This is done using digital signatures, which confirm the sender’s identity and hash functions. In a hash function, even if one character in the message changes, the fingerprint changes too, and it sends an alert to the sender and receiver that the data has been tampered with.

Conclusion

Cryptography is an important way to safeguard data when it is stored and when it is transmitted so that you remain protected against cyber threats such as phishing, identity theft, cyberstalking, ransomware, and malware attacks.

With the rise in cyber attacks, it is important you undertake cryptographic measures and purchase cyber insurance from Bajaj General Insurance to protect your business and digital assets.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between encryption and hashing?

Encryption is reversible and requires a key for decryption, while hashing is one-way and irreversible, used for verifying data integrity.

2. Can cryptography prevent all cyber attacks?

While cryptography significantly strengthens security, it is not foolproof. Human errors, system vulnerabilities, and sophisticated attacks can still pose risks, hence the need for layered defences and cyber insurance.

3. How does cryptography help protect against phishing?

Cryptographic protocols authenticate communications, ensuring emails or websites are legitimate and preventing attackers from impersonating trusted entities.

4. What role does cryptography play in identity theft protection?

Cryptography protects sensitive personal data by encrypting it, reducing the chances of unauthorised access or alteration.

5. Is cyber insurance necessary if I use strong cryptography?

Yes. Cyber insurance provides financial and legal support in case of incidents, covering losses that cryptography alone cannot prevent, such as social engineering and insider threats.

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***Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet and is subject to changes. Please consult an expert before making any related decisions.