Cryptography and network security

Introduction about cryptography and network security

Network security uses authentication, authorization, data encryption, and intrusion detection technologies. Cryptography, on the other hand, uses encryption, decryption, digital signatures, and key management techniques. Encryption can be used to ensure secure communications, with or without network security measures.

Difference Between Cryptography and Network Security

Cryptography and network security are important terms related to cybersecurity, and many of us often use both terms interchangeably. But this is not correct. Cryptography and network security are two different concepts that are implemented using different technologies and for different purposes.

The main difference between cryptography and network security is that encryption is a way or method of hiding information so that no one other than the intended recipient can see it. On the contrary, network security is a way to protect the integrity and security of the network and its components to avoid various attacks, such as DoS attacks.

Let’s discuss the difference between cryptography and network security in table format.

Benchmark	Cryptography	Network Security
Definition	It is a method of concealing information so that no one else can see it except the intended recipient	It is a method of protecting the integrity and safety of the network and its components to avoid various attacks, such as DoS attacks.
Purpose	It uses mathematical algorithms and protocols to scramble data, making it unreadable to unauthorized users.	It uses various protocols and techniques, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, etc., in order to protect the network and its components from unauthorized access.
Integration	You can use cryptography with or without network security measures to ensure secure communication.	You cannot implement network security measures without considering the cryptographic aspects of securing data transmission.
Techniques	Encryption, decryption, digital signatures, and key management.	Authentication, authorization, data encryption, and intrusion detection.

What is cryptography? 

Cryptography Definition: Cryptography is a technique for getting correspondence from unapproved access or change.

Cryptography is utilized in different settings, for example, web-based banking, informing applications, sending messages, and so on, to keep delicate data hidden and secure. It includes utilizing numerical calculations to scramble and encode information, making it incoherent to anybody who doesn’t have the way to open it.

There are mainly three types of cryptography, such as:

• Symmetric key cryptography
• Asymmetric key cryptography
• Hashing

In layman’s terms, cryptography is a method of encoding a message in such a way that only the person who is meant to receive it can understand it.

What is network security?

Definition of Network Security: Network security is a method of protecting a network and its connected devices from unauthorized access and attacks.

Implementing proper and strong network security ensures that unauthorized users cannot access or modify sensitive data. It ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the network and its resources.

Various techniques are used to implement strong network security, including:

• Firewall
• Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
• Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
• Virtual Private Network (VPN), etc.

The main purpose of using these technologies is to create a secure environment where users can communicate and share without worrying about unauthorized access or malicious activity.

In layman’s terms, network security is a way of keeping your customers’ data safe by making it impossible for hackers to easily enter your network.

Cryptography and Network Security Principles

In the current scenario, system security is the only priority for any organization. The primary objective of any organization is to protect data from attackers. There are two types of attacks in encryption: passive attacks and active attacks.

Passive attacks are attacks that obtain information from a system without affecting system resources, while active attacks are attacks that obtain system information and alter system resources and their operation.

Security principles can be classified as follows:

1. Privacy:

The degree of sensitivity determines how sensitive the information is. This principle states that only the sender and the receiver have access to the information shared between them. Privacy is compromised if messages are accessed by unauthorized persons.

For example, suppose sender A wants to share sensitive information with recipient B, and that information is intercepted by attacker C. The confidential information is now in the hands of the intruder.

2. Authentication:

Authentication is a mechanism that identifies a user, system, or entity. This ensures the identification of anyone trying to access your information. Authentication is often secured using a username and password. Authorized persons whose identity has been previously recorded can prove their identity and access sensitive information.

3. Integrity:

Integrity ensures that the information received is correct and accurate. If the content of a message is modified after it is sent by the sender but before it reaches the intended recipient, the message is said to be inconsistent.

• System Integrity: System integrity ensures that the system has not been intentionally or unintentionally manipulated and that it retains its intended functions.
• Data Integrity: Data integrity ensures that information (both stored and transmitted packets) and programs are modified only in specified and authorized ways.

4. Disclaimer:

Non-repudiation is a mechanism that prevents the content of messages sent over a network from being rejected. In some cases, the sender may reject the message after it has been sent. However, non-repudiation does not allow the sender to reject the recipient.

5. Access Control:

Access control principles are determined by role management and rule management. Role management determines who should access the data, and rules management determines the extent to which the data can be accessed. The information displayed varies depending on the person accessing it.

6. Availability:

The principle of availability requires that resources be available to authorized parties at all times. If information cannot be accessed, it is useless. Sufficient information must be available in the system to fulfill the user’s request.

7. Ethics and legal issues

The following categories are used to classify ethical dilemmas in security systems:.

• The right to access an individual’s personal information is called privacy.
• Property: The information belongs to the owner.
• Access refers to the authority an organization has to collect information.
• Accuracy: Deals with the obligations of reliability, integrity, and accuracy of information.

follow me : Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram