Whitfield and Hellman authored ‘New Directions in Cryptography’ in 1976, which came from the most remarkable progress in the entire history of the cryptographic world!
That feature article presented a breakthrough new concept in community cryptography called Diffie-Hellman key transfer, which seems to have become a basic aspect of today’s cryptography.
However, we are going to focus on understanding the two types of coding or encryption processes, namely, conventional key encryption and public-key encryption, with the help of pointers and tables to help you understand them completely.
Key Takeaways
- Conventional encryption uses a single secret key for encryption and decryption, while public key encryption utilizes a key pair: one for encryption and another for decryption.
- Public key encryption provides a higher level of security due to its asymmetric nature, making it more challenging to crack.
- Conventional encryption is faster and more efficient for large data sets, while public key encryption is more suitable for secure key exchange and digital signatures.
Conventional vs Public Key Encryption
The difference between conventional and public-key encryption is that the conventional encryption method requires only one decoding key for the successful decoding of the message, but public encryption requires two distinct keys, one for encryption and another for decryption. The nature of public key encrypting keys is asymmetrical because it is discrete and needs a proper sequence to decode.
In conventional key encryption, it is thought that deriving the encrypted text alone without a key is literally impossible because it will fail mathematically, thus giving a wrong output.
As a result, keeping the key hidden is vital.
These encryption methods are used in reality because they are efficient in encoding and decoding data, although they have flaws.
The total amount of keys accessible to pick from is one element of these problems. Brute strength assaults are less likely with larger main aspects.
On the other hand, public key encryption is done using a public key, while decryption is done with a private key.
The transmitter and receiver of encoded sensitive data have different private keys or can be structurally “similar”. An asymmetric key refers to the use of a public key.
The outer people use the secret key, and the private key, which is kept in a secured place, is the two keys that are needed in public-key cryptography.
The public key is used for encryption communications and may be openly distributed among individuals, whereas the secret private key is kept private and only known by the receiver.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Conventional Key Encryption | Public Key Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Invented By | The first cypher to employ a correct encryption key was created, according to Giovan Battista Bellaso. | Diffie and Hellman invented the public-key cryptosystem model. |
| Number of Keys | Only one key is required. | The sender and recipient use two keys. |
| Algorithms Used | Either logic algorithms or mathematical algorithms. | Both logic and arithmetic algorithms are used. |
| Symmetry | Symmetric in nature. | Asymmetric in nature. |
| Security | Since it employs a simple cryptosystem and decryption, it is a reasonably quick procedure and less secure. | It is secure and more reliable than traditional conventional key encryption. |
What is Conventional Key Encryption?
Conventional key encryption, known as symmetrical data cryptography or single-key cryptography, is an encryption method that encrypts and decrypts messages by using the same key.
The sender encrypts the unencrypted data with the receiver’s private key, which may then be used to execute the code by the recipient.
Because it employs a single private key for the entire cryptosystem, it is a reasonably quick procedure.
The primary disadvantage of this commonly used encryption approach is that it would not scale effectively to a lot of users since the transmitter and recipient must agree on a private key before transfer.
Because the key is shared across numerous senders and receivers, it is less reliable. Single-key encryption is a fairly ancient concept, which is why it is referred to as a conventional encryption technique.
Because of its simplicity, it is the more popular of the two main types of encryption methods. Because it employs a cryptosystem and decryption, it is a reasonably quick procedure.
Inside this encryption scheme, the sender encrypts data with the receiver’s private key, which may then be used to decode the ciphertext by the recipient.
The traditional encryption approach requires both the transmitter and the recipient to know the secret key ahead of schedule and consent to something before the transfer, which presents safety problems and trust issues, particularly regarding verification and integrity protection.
What is Public Key Encryption?
Whitfield and Hellman invented the public-key cryptosystem model, which was the first real breakthrough notion in the field of encryption and decryption.
A digital system that employs two keys: a public key with an access policy and a private key, is defined as public-key cryptography.
The key pair can be freely exchanged among users, whereas the secret private key is only accessible to the receiver.
A message or information is encrypted using the public key, which is subsequently decrypted with the private key.
Public-key cryptography’s main goal is to offer anonymity, secrecy, and authenticity.
Traditional encryption methods are based on basic manipulations of data bits, whereas public-key methods are based on arithmetic operations.
Advanced encryption standard, encryption algorithm, key pair, private key, ciphertext, and decoding algorithm are the six essential components of a public-key cryptosystem.
It simply encrypts with one key and decrypts using a slightly separate key.
It is possible to send the encrypted message once it has been created. Based on the keys in use at the moment, the block cypher will yield a different result. Updating the key alters the computation output.
It is possible to send the ciphertext once it has been created.
Using a decoding method and then the same key which was used for encrypting, the ciphertext may be converted back to its original plain data upon receipt.
Main Differences Between Conventional and Public Key Encryption
- The conventional key requires only one key throughout the entire cryptosystem, whereas public-key encryption requires two keys.
- In conventional encryption, one key can be utilized twice for encryption and decryption, whereas in public-key encryption, one key cannot be interchanged with the other’s role, i.e., one key is used for encryption and the other to decrypt.
- Conventional encryption is traditional and old, whereas public key encryption is a modern cryptographic model.
- Conventional encryption is less secure than public-key encryption.
- Conventional encryption is symmetric, whereas public key encryption is asymmetric in nature.
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️
Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
As someone who has always been interested in cryptography, this article was a treat to read. The in-depth explanation of public-key encryption was particularly enlightening.
I couldn’t agree more, Archie Khan. The detailed comparison table provided in the article was an essential addition to the comprehensive breakdown of public-key encryption.
The section comparing conventional and public-key encryption was particularly insightful. It really highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
This article is a true gem! I had been looking for more in-depth information about conventional and public-key encryption and this post far exceeded my expectations. The historical context about Diffie-Hellman key transfer was an enlightening addition to the article.
The comprehensive analysis about the pros and cons of conventional and public-key encryption was really valuable for understanding which method is best suited for different circumstances.
I agree with you, Joe69. The information provided in this article is incredibly rich and valuable. The breakdown of the parameters of comparison between conventional and public-key encryption was very thorough and made the topic very accessible.
This article provided an excellent overview of the history of cryptography and the evolution of conventional and public-key encryption. A very insightful and well-researched read.
This article was a fantastic resource for anyone looking to delve deeper into cryptography. The technical details about the public-key cryptosystem were incredibly enlightening and well-presented.
I couldn’t agree more, Rebecca38. The detailed information about public key encryption was very educational. It was clear that the writer took great care in explaining the technical aspects of the topic.
This post was an eye-opener! I appreciate the verbose yet clear nature of the article. It’s clear that the writer is very knowledgeable about the topic and was able to communicate complex concepts effectively.
I couldn’t agree more, Beth Matthews. The clear breakdown of the algorithms used in both conventional and public-key encryption was especially beneficial for understanding the intricate nature of these methods.
Very fascinating and informative read. I’m grateful to have come across this piece as it has truly broadened my understanding of conventional and public-key encryption methods.
The breakdown of the conventional vs public key encryption methods was incredibly clear and concise. The information provided had a good balance of depth and accessibility.
I found the section on public key encryption to be particularly interesting. The explanation of the difference between asymmetric and symmetric nature of public and conventional encryption was very well done.
I absolutely agree with you, Naomi Allen. The clarity in explaining the intricate concepts of public-key encryption was commendable and very beneficial for understanding the topic.