Symmetric encryption is used in electronic communication as a means to:
(1): Take visible-to-humans data
(2): Scramble the plaintext data with a mathematical byte-rearranging cipher algorithm (unlockable only via a secure cryptographic key) to make it unreadable/invisible-to-humans while it’s being stored on a disk or transmitted over a network
(3): Unscramble the encrypted data with the required cryptographic key when it’s needed, making it visible-to-humans, but only for the key-holding recipient(s).
Encryption's Purpose: it enhances security by limiting data loss even if access controls are bypassed. For example, if the database host computer has vulnerabilities and a hacker obtains sensitive data, that stolen information might be useless if it is encrypted.
Reference: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/10168240/encrypting-decrypting-a-string-in-c-sharp
(1): Take visible-to-humans data
(2): Scramble the plaintext data with a mathematical byte-rearranging cipher algorithm (unlockable only via a secure cryptographic key) to make it unreadable/invisible-to-humans while it’s being stored on a disk or transmitted over a network
(3): Unscramble the encrypted data with the required cryptographic key when it’s needed, making it visible-to-humans, but only for the key-holding recipient(s).
Encryption's Purpose: it enhances security by limiting data loss even if access controls are bypassed. For example, if the database host computer has vulnerabilities and a hacker obtains sensitive data, that stolen information might be useless if it is encrypted.
Reference: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/10168240/encrypting-decrypting-a-string-in-c-sharp
