What is the Difference Between Symmetric Key Encryption and Public Key Encryption?

The main difference between symmetric key encryption and public key encryption lies in the number of keys used and the purpose of each key. Here are the key differences between the two:

Symmetric Key Encryption:

• Uses a single key to encrypt and decrypt data.
• Faster encryption process.
• Requires low resource utilization.
• Cipher text is smaller or the same size as the original plain text.
• Used for transmitting large amounts of data.
• Provides confidentiality.
• Key length is typically 128 or 256 bits.
• Requires secure key transfer between parties.

Asymmetric Key Encryption (Public Key Encryption):

• Uses a public key to encrypt data and a private key to decrypt data.
• Slower encryption process.
• Requires high resource utilization.
• Cipher text is larger or the same size as the original plain text.
• Used for transmitting small amounts of data.
• Provides confidentiality, authenticity, and non-repudiation.
• Key length is typically 2048 bits or longer.
• Eliminates the need to share a private key, making it more secure in this regard.

In summary, symmetric key encryption is faster and uses a single key for both encryption and decryption, while asymmetric key encryption is slower and uses a pair of public and private keys for encryption and decryption, respectively. Asymmetric encryption is considered more secure due to the use of public and private keys, while symmetric encryption is more suitable for transmitting large amounts of data.

Comparative Table: Symmetric Key Encryption vs Public Key Encryption

Here is a table comparing the differences between symmetric key encryption and public key encryption:

Symmetric key encryption uses a single key to encrypt and decrypt data, and is faster than public key encryption. It is typically used for large data transfers and requires a safe method to transfer the key from one party to another.

Public key encryption, also known as asymmetric key encryption, uses a pair of keys (public and private) to encrypt and decrypt data. The public key is used to encrypt data, while the private key is used to decrypt it. This method is more secure than symmetric key encryption, as it uses two separate keys, making it harder for attackers to compromise the system. However, it is slower and requires more resources than symmetric key encryption.