Reference no: EM133626575

Discussion Post

Your task: You have been asked to give a presentation to the Chief Technology Officer's (CTO's) staff for their monthly "brown bag" luncheons. The subject of this session is: Use and Misuse of Encryption.

Background: Cryptographic algorithms provide the underlying tools to most security protocols used to implement encryption in enterprises and critical infrastructures. The choice of which type of algorithm to implement depends on the goal that you are trying to accomplish, e.g. ensuring data privacy or ensuring integrity of software or data. Cryptographic algorithms fall into two main categories: symmetric key and asymmetric key cryptography.

In the first part of your briefing to CTO Staff, please identify and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of

1) symmetric key cryptography
2) asymmetric key cryptography

For each type of cryptographic algorithm, you should provide an example of where this type of cryptography would be used within the software and services that the enterprise depends upon and the type of resource to be protected (e.g. passwords stored in hashed format).

In the second part of your briefing, identify and discuss at least three ways in which attackers and/or criminals use encryption and cryptography to further their goals and objectives. These could include using encrypted chat to avoid wiretaps or surveillance or using encryption to deny legitimate users access to data or systems (e.g. ransomware). If countermeasures are available, describe and discuss them.