Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Entry-level Technician (PCCET)Cybersecurity FundamentalsMedium
A security engineer is tasked with selecting a cryptographic algorithm to secure sensitive data at rest. The primary requirement is that the algorithm must use the same key for both encryption and decryption, making it suitable for bulk data encryption due to its speed. Which type of cryptographic algorithm should the engineer choose?
- ADigital signature
- BSymmetric encryption
- CHashing algorithm
- DAsymmetric encryption
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Symmetric encryption
Symmetric encryption uses a single, shared secret key for both encrypting and decrypting data. This makes it very efficient for encrypting large amounts of data, such as data at rest.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Digital signatures provide authenticity and integrity, not data encryption.
- C. Hashing algorithms produce a fixed-size output (hash) and are one-way, not for encryption/decryption.
- D. Asymmetric encryption uses a pair of keys (public and private) and is slower, typically used for key exchange or digital signatures.
Symmetric Encryption
A type of encryption where the same secret key is used for both encrypting plaintext into ciphertext and decrypting ciphertext back into plaintext.
- Uses a single, shared secret key.
- Faster than asymmetric encryption, ideal for bulk data.
- Key distribution is a challenge.
Memory trick: Symmetric: Same key for both sides, like a single lock.