by Suzy Stembridge

Created on: July 06, 2010

In the age of Information Technology, we find ourselves unwittingly relying on speed communication to get our message across, fast and effectively. While we’ve come along way from deciphering smoke signals, new attacks comes with the turf of progress. Message encryption is just one of the many ways we counter cyber terrorism, yet most of us aren’t sure if we’re even implementing it, let alone know how it is done. 

Encrypting a message essentially, is making the original message completely un-readable to anyone either than the intended receiver. What were original words in thought out sentences are now jumbled up letters, numbers and symbols. While higher-level management tries to stop the interception of such messages, the last line of defense is usually encryption. If a protagonist somehow manages to infiltrate an email, phone message or a credit card transaction, that person’s questionable intentions are thwarted by these baffling algorithms. 

The most important reason for message encryption is safety, protecting the privacy and integrity of the message. It also protects the sender and receiver, ensuring safe refuge from eavesdropping and snooping. Credit card transactions can be done with peace of mind, without risking financial status or worse, identity theft. Business discussions can be safely exchanged over borders without revealing them to competitors and rivals. Information exchanged using mobile phones can be done without worry. Emails can be kept safe instead of being interpreted wrongly by a third person. 

Encryption also ensures reliability. With encryptions, the person’s true identity can be assured and the integrity of the message is valid. In a time of hacking, identity theft and credit card fraud, it is of the utmost importance to have faith that what goes on in cyberspace is guarded and shielded against malicious desires that may intercept them, never to allow information to reach its intended destination. Emails from banks containing encryption certifications or keys can be assured of their credibility. 

Throughout history, we’ve always strived to find safe, reliable ways to send information. From trained carrier pigeons to thumbprint activation scanners. We realized the value of privacy and communication reliability from the age when we invented pig latin to when we needed a safe money transfer from our grandparents. Today, encryption methods continue to grow as information becomes more valuable and important. So the next time you key in your credit card number, or when you send an important email, think about how dangerous our world would really be without encryption. 

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