Question
Jan Villaroel
Topic: Computer Science Posted 1 year ago
Please explain in your own words how symmetric and asymmetric encryption works.

In total about 300 words, please discuss the below topics about cyber security:

1. Please explain in your own words how symmetric and asymmetric encryption works.

2. Please explain in your own words how SSL, TLS, HTTPS work and can be utilized to defend communications.

3. Please explain PKI, what this capability provides and its organization.


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Koala Tutor
Sep 10, 2023
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1. Symmetric encryption involves using the same key to both encrypt and decrypt data. This means that the sender and receiver both have access to the same key, which they use to transform plaintext into ciphertext and vice versa. The process of symmetric encryption is fast and efficient as it does not require complex computations. However, the challenge lies in securely sharing this key between the parties involved.

On the other hand, asymmetric encryption, also known as public-key encryption, utilizes two different keys – a public key and a private key. The public key is widely available and can be used to encrypt data, while the private key is kept secret and is used for decryption. Messages encrypted with the public key can only be decrypted using the corresponding private key. This approach ensures a higher level of security as the private key remains secret and does not have to be shared between the parties involved.

2. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), TLS (Transport Layer Security), and HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) are cryptographic protocols designed to ensure secure communication between a client and a server. These protocols work together to establish a secure and encrypted connection.

When a client connects to a server using HTTPS, SSL/TLS provides encryption by using symmetric encryption algorithms. The client and server establish a secure connection by agreeing on a common encryption algorithm and generating a session key. This session key is unique to the connection and is used for encrypting and decrypting data transmitted between them.

HTTPS, which is a combination of HTTP and SSL/TLS, adds an additional layer of security by encrypting the entire communication using SSL/TLS. This means that sensitive data, such as login credentials or credit card information, is encrypted before being transmitted, making it much more difficult for attackers to intercept and understand the data.

3. PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) is a system that enables the secure exchange of information over a network using public-key cryptography. PKI establishes trust and validates the authenticity of digital certificates, which are used to verify the identity of a party in an online transaction.

PKI enables the creation, distribution, and management of digital certificates by relying on a hierarchy of certificate authorities (CAs). A CA is a trusted entity that issues digital certificates after verifying the identity of the certificate holder. The root CA, at the top of the hierarchy, ensures that the issued certificates are trusted by all parties using the PKI.

Digital certificates contain a public key and other information, such as the certificate holder's identity and the CA's digital signature, ensuring that the certificate is genuine. By verifying the digital certificate using the CA's public key, users can trust that they are communicating securely with the intended party.

In summary, PKI ensures the integrity and security of online communications by providing a trusted framework for issuing and verifying digital certificates. It helps prevent impersonation and ensures that sensitive information is encrypted and transmitted securely.

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