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What is hashing?
2
What is encryption?
3
How do they differ in function?
4
How do they differ in advantage?
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5
How do they differ in disadvantage?
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How can you use them together?
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7
Here’s what else to consider
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Hashing and encryption are two common techniques for protecting information security, but they have different purposes and properties. In this article, you will learn how to compare hashing and encryption based on their definitions, functions, advantages, and disadvantages.
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1 What is hashing?
Hashing is a process of transforming any data into a fixed-length string of characters, called a hash or a digest, using a mathematical function, called a hash function. Hashing is irreversible, meaning that you cannot recover the original data from the hash. Hashing is used for verifying the integrity and authenticity of data, such as passwords, digital signatures, or checksums.
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- Kristian Boetcher Digital Architect - Bringing systems together
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Saying anything is irreversible is a bit like a famous IBM exec saying computers is just a fad.While it would hold water in theory, many hashes has already been rendered obsolete, due to flaws or finding a reversing of the pattern.This doesn't take anything away from hashes though, as long as a modern hash is used, they are very good salting and identity verification.The problems come when manufacturers bake it into things that are meant to never be updated, like cars, phones, wifi and so on.
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2 What is encryption?
Encryption is a process of transforming data into a different form, called ciphertext, using a secret key, called an encryption key. Encryption is reversible, meaning that you can recover the original data from the ciphertext by using the corresponding decryption key. Encryption is used for protecting the confidentiality and privacy of data, such as messages, files, or transactions.
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- Kristian Boetcher Digital Architect - Bringing systems together
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It really depends on what kind of encryption we are talking. Encryption is only valid as long as an up to date cipher is used and as long as the information stays encrypted.A very common scheme is to only have "at rest" encryption and rely solely on that for security. But at test encryption is only really valid for devices that spend most of their time turned off.This is especially a problem with things that are always online, as it is never really "at rest" and by extension never encrypted.This is where it is necessary to have some sort of live encryption scheme and possibly encrypting hardware like ram as well, if your data is critical enough.
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3 How do they differ in function?
Hashing and encryption differ in their functions based on their directionality and key dependency. Hashing is a one-way function, meaning that it can only go from data to hash, but not the other way around. Encryption is a two-way function, meaning that it can go from data to ciphertext and back, using the appropriate keys. Hashing is a keyless function, meaning that it does not require any secret keys to perform. Encryption is a keyed function, meaning that it requires secret keys to perform.
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- Kristian Boetcher Digital Architect - Bringing systems together
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Hashes and encryption are two completely separate things, if it wasn't for the fact that hashes are used to create initial encryptions and generate keysets, we wouldn't even be talking about them in the same context.Hashes were made for easy and accurate identification. Encryption was made to keep information safe. While these purposes definitely relate, they are not two sides of the same coin.Using hashes for passwords is actually a semi bad practice started in the 90's, due to performance constraints. While it is safer with a modern hash, a lot of research also points to that passwords in general is just a bad practice.
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4 How do they differ in advantage?
Hashing and encryption differ in their advantages based on their speed and security. Hashing is faster than encryption, because it does not involve complex mathematical operations or key management. Hashing is also more secure than encryption in terms of resisting brute-force attacks, because there is no way to reverse the hash or guess the original data. Encryption is more flexible than hashing, because it allows the authorized parties to access and modify the data. Encryption is also more secure than hashing in terms of resisting tampering or alteration, because any change in the ciphertext will make it unreadable or invalid.
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5 How do they differ in disadvantage?
Hashing and encryption differ in their disadvantages based on their limitations and risks. Hashing is limited by its fixed length and irreversibility, which means that it cannot store or transmit the data itself, and that it may suffer from collisions or duplication. Hashing is also risky by its exposure and predictability, which means that it may reveal some information about the data, and that it may be vulnerable to dictionary or rainbow table attacks. Encryption is limited by its complexity and overhead, which means that it requires more computational resources and storage space, and that it may introduce errors or delays. Encryption is also risky by its dependency and compromise, which means that it relies on the security and availability of the keys, and that it may be broken by cryptanalysis or key theft.
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6 How can you use them together?
Hashing and encryption are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary techniques for information security. You can use them together to achieve different goals, such as authentication, authorization, or non-repudiation. For example, you can use hashing to generate a digital signature for a message, and then encrypt the message and the signature with a symmetric or asymmetric key. This way, you can ensure the integrity, authenticity, confidentiality, and privacy of the message, as well as the identity and accountability of the sender and the receiver.
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7 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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