Hybrid Encryption

Hybrid in simple terms is the combination of two or more things. Here, as the name depicts Hybrid encryption is the combination of symmetric and Asymmetric encryption.

Symmetric key algorithm:

It is a type of algorithm that uses only one key to encrypt and decrypt the data.

Example Algorithms: AES, DES, Blowfish, RC4, RC5 etc.

Encryption:

Decryption:

Asymmetric key algorithm:

It is a type of algorithm that uses different keys to encrypt and decrypt the data. An asymmetric algorithm uses public keys to encrypt and private keys to decrypt the data.

Example Algorithms: RSA, DSA, Diffie Helmen key exchange, Elliptic curve cryptography etc.

Encryption:

Decryption:

Hybrid encryption:

In this illustration, RSA(Asymmetric key algorithm) and AES(Symmetric key algorithm) algorithms are hybridized to ensure a double layer of security.

Encryption:

• Encrypt the data using AES secret key

• Encrypt the AES secret key with the recipient’s RSA public key.

  

Decryption:

• Decrypt the encrypted AES secret key with the recipient’s RSA private key to get the original AES secret key.

• With the original AES secret key, decrypt the encrypted data.

  

Instead of encrypting and decrypting the data with the same AES secret key, a layer of protection is added with asymmetric algorithms to prevent any attacks.

Advantages of Hybrid encryption:

• AES’s fastest ability and RSA’s complex mathematics together make the hybrid encryption very strong and secure.

• No need to share the AES secret key. Instead, RSA public key is shared.