Database Systems: Concepts, Design and Applications

14.7. Data Encryption

Data encryption is a method of coding or scrambling of data so that humans cannot read them. In encryption method, data is encoded by a special algorithm that renders the data unreadable by any program or humans without the decryption key. Data encryption technique is used to protect from threats in which user attempts to bypass the system, for example, by physically removing part of the database or by tapping into a communication line and so on. The data encryption technique converts readable text to unreadable text by use of an algorithm. Encrypted data cannot be read by an intruder unless that user knows the method of encryption. There are various types of encryption methods, some are simple and some are complex to provide ...