How can you encrypt data at rest to protect your company's sensitive information?

Encrypting data at rest is a crucial security measure to protect your company's sensitive information from unauthorized access, theft, or leakage. Data at rest refers to any data that is stored on disks, servers, databases, or other devices, and is not actively transmitted or processed. In this article, you will learn how to encrypt data at rest using different encryption algorithms and protocols, and what factors to consider when choosing the best option for your system architecture.

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1 Symmetric encryption

Symmetric encryption is a method of encrypting data using a single secret key that is shared between the sender and the receiver. The key is used to both encrypt and decrypt the data, and must be kept secure and confidential. Symmetric encryption is fast, efficient, and suitable for large volumes of data. Some examples of symmetric encryption algorithms are AES, DES, and Blowfish. However, symmetric encryption also has some drawbacks, such as the risk of key compromise, the difficulty of key management and distribution, and the lack of authentication and integrity verification.

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Eik Zulfikar Fahmi

Engineering Manager | Servant Leader
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1. Understanding Symmetric Encryption: Symmetric encryption uses a single key for both the encryption and decryption processes. The same key is used to both encrypt and decrypt the data. 2. Selecting a Strong Encryption Algorithm: Choose a robust symmetric encryption algorithm. Common choices include Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with key sizes of 256 bits for strong security. 3. Key Management: Implement a robust key management system to securely generate, store, and distribute encryption keys. Keys should be protected from unauthorized access and regularly rotated for increased security.

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2 Asymmetric encryption

Asymmetric encryption is a method of encrypting data using a pair of keys: a public key and a private key. The public key is used to encrypt the data, and the private key is used to decrypt it. The public key can be shared with anyone, while the private key must be kept secret and secure. Asymmetric encryption is more secure, flexible, and scalable than symmetric encryption, as it does not require a shared secret key and can provide authentication and integrity verification. Some examples of asymmetric encryption algorithms are RSA, ECC, and DSA. However, asymmetric encryption also has some challenges, such as the slow speed, high computational cost, and large key size.

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Eik Zulfikar Fahmi

Engineering Manager | Servant Leader
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1. Generating Key: Generate a key pair: a public key and a private key. The public key is used for encryption, while the private key is kept secret and used for decryption. 2. Choosing Strong Algorithms: Select strong asymmetric encryption algorithms such as RSA or Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC). 3. Securing Key Management: Implement a secure key management system to generate, store, and distribute the public and private keys. Protect the private key from unauthorized access using secure key storage solutions.

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3 Hybrid encryption

Hybrid encryption is a method of combining symmetric and asymmetric encryption to achieve the benefits of both. In hybrid encryption, the data is encrypted using a symmetric key, and then the symmetric key is encrypted using an asymmetric key. The encrypted data and the encrypted symmetric key are then sent together. The receiver can decrypt the symmetric key using their private key, and then decrypt the data using the symmetric key. Hybrid encryption is widely used in practice, as it offers a balance between speed, security, and scalability. Some examples of hybrid encryption protocols are SSL/TLS, SSH, and PGP.

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4 Encryption at different layers

Encrypting data at rest can be done at different layers of the system architecture, depending on the type, location, and access level of the data. For example, you can encrypt data at the application layer, where the data is encrypted by the application logic before being stored or transmitted. You can also encrypt data at the file system layer, where the data is encrypted by the operating system or a third-party software before being written to the disk. You can also encrypt data at the disk layer, where the data is encrypted by the hardware or firmware of the disk drive. Each layer has its own advantages and disadvantages, such as the performance impact, the ease of implementation, and the scope of protection.

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5 Encryption best practices

To effectively and securely encrypt data at rest, you should choose the right encryption algorithm and protocol for your data type, size, and sensitivity. Additionally, make sure to use strong and random keys that are stored in a secure location separate from the data. It's also important to rotate and update your keys regularly, and have a backup and recovery plan in case of key loss or compromise. Furthermore, encrypt data at the highest possible layer, and use multiple layers of encryption if possible. Lastly, audit and monitor your encryption processes, as well as test your encryption performance and functionality. Encrypting data at rest is not an easy task; however, by following these guidelines you can protect your company’s sensitive information and enhance your system architecture security.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you encrypt data at rest to protect your company's sensitive information?

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1 Symmetric encryption

2 Asymmetric encryption

3 Hybrid encryption

4 Encryption at different layers

5 Encryption best practices

6 Here’s what else to consider

System Architecture

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How can you encrypt data at rest to protect your company's sensitive information?

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2

3

4

5

6

1 Symmetric encryption

2 Asymmetric encryption

3 Hybrid encryption

4 Encryption at different layers

5 Encryption best practices

6 Here’s what else to consider

System Architecture

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