{"id":1737,"date":"2017-06-14T06:22:49","date_gmt":"2017-06-14T06:22:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rapidsslonline.com\/blog\/?p=1737"},"modified":"2025-06-20T08:37:06","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T14:07:06","slug":"fundamental-differences-between-symmetric-and-asymmetric-encryption","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rapidsslonline.com\/blog\/fundamental-differences-between-symmetric-and-asymmetric-encryption\/","title":{"rendered":"Fundamental Differences between Symmetric and Asymmetric Encryption"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

RapidSSLonline brings you the technical comparative breakdown of the two encryption methods<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Day after day, the tally of data breaches and data-tampering incidents keeps reaching new heights. This is because cyberattackers keep evolving by finding new, delicate techniques to victimize online users. In order to counteract such attempts, safeguarding information has become an indispensable measure in today\u2019s cybersecurity world. Encryption is one such method to protect discreet information being transferred online. The Encryption technique is employed in two ways, namely Symmetric Encryption<\/strong> and Asymmetric Encryption<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asymmetric Encryption Lock:<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Asymmetric<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Before getting to the difference between Symmetric and Asymmetric encryption, let\u2019s clear a few concepts first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encryption & Cryptographic Keys<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The roots of encryption date back to the times of the great Julius Caesar. Caesar used this technique to send his confidential messages. Caesar\u2019s method, commonly known as Caesar\u2019s Cipher is one of the simplest methods of encryption. Compared to it, today\u2019s encryption techniques are much more complex and advanced. Today, extremely complex algorithms are implemented to convert sensible information into an incomprehensible format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once encrypted, the message\/data can only be decrypted using the proper keys, known as \u2018Cryptographic Keys\u2019. Basically, a cryptographic key is a password that is used to encrypt and decrypt information. There are two types of cryptographic keys. They are known as a Symmetric Key<\/strong> and an Asymmetric Key<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symmetric Encryption<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Symmetric<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Symmetric encryption is a conventional method of Encryption. It is also the simplest of two techniques. Symmetric encryption is executed by means of only one secret key known as \u2018Symmetric Key\u2019 that is possessed by both parties. This key is applied to encode and decode the information. The sender uses this key before sending the message and the receiver uses it to decipher the encoded message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a pretty straightforward technique and as a result, it doesn\u2019t take much time. When it comes to transferring huge data, symmetrical keys are preferred. Caesar\u2019s Cipher happens to be a good example of symmetric encryption. Modern approaches of symmetric encryption are executed using algorithms such as RC4, AES, DES, 3DES, QUAD, Blowfish etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common form of symmetric encryption comes once an encrypted connection has been negotiated between a client and a server with an SSL certificate installed. Once the connection is negotiated, two 256-bit session keys are created and exchanged so that encrypted communication can occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asymmetric Encryption<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Asymmetric<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Asymmetric Encryption is a relatively new and complex mode of Encryption. Complex because it incorporates two cryptographic keys to implement data security. These keys are called a Public Key and a Private Key. The Public key, as the name suggests, is available to everyone who wishes to send a message. On the other hand, the private key is kept at a secure place by the owner of the public key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The public key encrypts the information to be sent. It uses a specific algorithm in doing so. Whereas, the private key, which is in possession of the receiver, decrypts it. The Same algorithm is behind both these processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The involvement of two keys makes Asymmetric Encryption a complex technique. Thus, it proves to be massively beneficial in terms of data security. Diffie-Hellman and RSA algorithm are the most widely used algorithms for Asymmetric Encryption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Side-by-side comparison of symmetric encryption and asymmetric encryption<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Comparison Factor<\/th>Symmetric Encryption<\/th>Asymmetric Encryption<\/th><\/tr>
Number of Cryptographic Keys<\/td>Symmetric encryption incorporates only one key for encryption as well as decryption.<\/td>Asymmetric Encryption consists of two cryptographic keys. These keys are regarded as Public Key<\/strong> and Private Key<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>
Complexity<\/td>Symmetric encryption is a simple technique compared to asymmetric encryption as only one key is employed to carry out both the operations.<\/td>Contribution from separate keys for encryption and decryption makes it a rather complex process.<\/td><\/tr>
Swiftness of Execution<\/td>Due to its simplistic nature, both the operations can be carried out pretty quickly.<\/td>Because of encryption and decryption by two separate keys and the process of comparing them make it a tad slow procedure.<\/td><\/tr>
Algorithms Employed<\/td>\n
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  • RC4<\/li>\n
  • AES<\/li>\n
  • DES<\/li>\n
  • 3DES<\/li>\n
  • QUAD<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>
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