Symmetric vs asymmetric encryption

In our tumultuous digital world, nothing is quite as unusual — or as frightening — as cybercrime. The recent theft of digital content from businesses like Sony Pictures, Target, and the Home Depot — just to name a few — show just how malicious cyber crime can be. In 2011, nearly 535 instances of data breaches happened in the U.S., resulting in more than 30 million stolen consumer information. Digital heists like these illustrate how serious, and pervasive, cyber crime is, and how no organization is immune to hackers.

However, it only makes sense to take as many precautions as you can when setting up a business’s IT network and data collection. The better cyber security an organization has, the less likely digital content can be snatched by hackers. To help yourself get acquainted with managed file transfer solutions and cyber protection, here are three types of data delivery methods for for private as well as commercial use:

  1. FTP: File Transfer Protocol, or FTP, is the standard method of transferring data between computers. Data is transferred between client, or “host,” computers via a central server. The clients and the server have separate security and data protocols, which automatically adds an extra layer of security.
  2. SFTP: Secure File Transfer Protocol, or SFTP, is another form of managed file transfer. SFTP uses a unique data stream to send and receive information. The “S” also refers to SSH (Secure Shell), which is the name of the data stream used.
  3. PGP: Pretty Good Privacy, or PGP, is an encryption code especially designed for email messages. An encryption is a cyber code that translates readable data known as “plaintext” into unreadable text known as “ciphertext” by using an algorithm (or set of algorithms) to protect it from outside hackers. Ciphertext can be translated back using an encryption “key,” which uses the algorithm or algorithms to restore the data back to plaintext.
    1. However a business or organization decides to protect its data, the most important thing is to do it. Without basic digital file protection, cyber criminals can easily swap data and cause considerable havoc for both your business and your consumers.

      What do you think about managed file transfer services? Do you have any experience with data delivery services or data loss prevention solutions? Feel free to leave a comment or question at the bottom.