Crypto Analysis and Security 🔐🧩

Because data is so valuable, we must lock it. Cryptography is the science of locking data, and Cryptanalysis is the science of trying to "Pick the lock."

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1. Cryptography: The Core Pillars

In Business Intelligence, cryptography isn't just about "scrambling text." It serves four vital functions:

• Confidentiality: Ensuring only the person with the "Correct Key" can see the sales targets or customer names.
• Integrity: Using Hashing to prove the data hasn't been changed by a hacker. If a single comma is moved in a 1TB file, the "Hash" will change completely.
• Non-Repudiation: Using digital signatures so an executive cannot say "I didn't authorize this payment" if their private key was used to sign it.
• Authentication: Proving you are who you say you are before the system allows you to query the Data Warehouse.

2. Modern Encryption Techniques

A. Symmetric Encryption (The Fast Lock)

Uses the Same Key to both lock and unlock.

• Example: AES (Advanced Encryption Standard).
• Best For: Large files stored on a company server. It is extremely fast.
• Risk: If the key is stolen, the entire warehouse is open to anyone.

B. Asymmetric Encryption (The Public/Private Lock)

Uses Two Different Keys that work together.

• Public Key: Shared with everyone. Anyone can use it to "Lock" data.
• Private Key: Kept secret by the owner. Only this key can "Unlock" what the public key locked.
• Best For: Sending data over the internet (HTTPS).

3. Cryptanalysis: Testing the Strength

Cryptanalysis is the study of finding weaknesses in the "Lock." In a modern company, this is used for Ethical Hacking.

• Brute Force Attack: Trying every possible password until one works. (Only works if the password is weak).
• Known-Plaintext Attack: If a hacker knows part of the data (e.g., they know every report starts with the word "CONFIDENTIAL"), they use that knowledge to reverse-engineer the key.
• Frequency Analysis: Looking for patterns. In English, the letter 'E' appears most often. Spies look for similar patterns in the "Gibberish" to guess the key.

Summary

• Cryptography is the study of protecting information.
• Symmetric is fast (one key); Asymmetric is secure for web (two keys).
• Hashing is for verifying data integrity and storing passwords.
• Cryptanalysis helps find holes in security before the "Real Spies" do.

Quiz Time! 🎯

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