Objectives

• Understand the need for and purpose of encryption

when transmitting data
• Understand how data is encrypted using symmetric
and asymmetric encryption
Encryption
Unit 2 Data transmission and encryption

Starter
• Many people now use a Wi-Fi access point in
their home
• Why do Wi-Fi access points need encryption?
• Describe how the encryption
on a Wi-Fi access point works
from a user’s point of view
Encryption
Unit 2 Data transmission and encryption

Starter
• Why do Wi-Fi access points need encryption?
• Sensitive data, such as passwords, bank information and
photos, is sent from computers and devices to the
access point
• An eavesdropper can listen to the Wi-Fi signal and if it isn’t
encrypted, they will be able to use this sensitive information
• Describe how the encryption on a Wi-Fi access point
works from a user’s point of view
• A Wi-Fi password known as a pre-shared key (PSK) is given
to each user that wants to connect to the network
• The data is then encrypted using this key
Encryption
Unit 2 Data transmission and encryption

The need for encryption

• Large amounts of personal data are now stored and
transmitted on computers
• Companies and other organisations also have highly
confidential data that they don’t want others looking at
• In paper systems, sensitive data was held in locked
cabinets and locked rooms
• Now, sensitive data is often transmitted via the Internet which
is a public network
• Data is also stored on computers and servers on the Internet
which may be hacked
• If a hacker gains access to the data, they won’t be able to
understand it if it is encrypted
Encryption
Unit 2 Data transmission and encryption

What is encryption?
• The purpose of encryption is to encode a file or data
into something that cannot be read or understood
• The file or data that cannot be understood is known
as encrypted
• A key or password is used to decrypt the data

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Plaintext Encrypted
Encryption
Unit 2 Data transmission and encryption

Symmetric encryption
• In symmetric encryption, a key is first shared
between the sender and receiver
• This key encrypts the data before it is transmitted
• The receiver uses the key to decrypt the data
Sender Receiver

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Plaintext Encrypted text Plaintext
Secret shared key Secret shared key
Encryption
Unit 2 Data transmission and encryption

Symmetric encryption uses

• The pre-shared key used to connect to a Wi-Fi
access point makes use of symmetric encryption
• Other uses for symmetric encryption include:
• Adding a password to a ZIP file which also encrypts the file
• Encrypting a hard drive or external storage device
Encryption
Unit 2 Data transmission and encryption

Worksheet 4
• Complete Task 1 on Worksheet 4
Encryption
Unit 2 Data transmission and encryption

Asymmetric encryption
• In asymmetric encryption, two keys are created by
the receiver
• The public key is accessible by anyone and used to
encrypt data
• The private key is kept secret by the receiver and used to
decrypt the data
• The technique is also known as public-key cryptography

• This means that anyone can

encrypt the data, but only the
receiver can decrypt it
• There is no need to share a secret key
as happens with symmetric encryption
Encryption
Unit 2 Data transmission and encryption

Asymmetric encryption
• Both keys are generated by the receiver
• Only the public key is shared with the sender
Public key Private key

Sender Receiver

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brown fox pr0Utjdnkcib brown fox
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Plaintext Encrypted text Plaintext
Encryption
Unit 2 Data transmission and encryption

Web asymmetric encryption

• Web pages that are shared using HTTPS (Hypertext
transfer protocol secure) make use of encryption
• The encryption used is asymmetric encryption
• The browser and server share the necessary public keys to
encrypt the data
• They then use their private keys to decrypt the data

• If symmetric encryption were used, every website

you visit would first need to send the password
privately to you – for instance through a letter
• The sharing of a public key happens in a fraction of a second
and there is no risk if an eavesdropper discovers it
Encryption
Unit 2 Data transmission and encryption

Worksheet 4
• Complete Task 2 on Worksheet 4
Encryption
Unit 2 Data transmission and encryption

Plenary
• Explain to a partner the following terms:

Asymmetric Symmetric
Encryption
Encryption Encryption

Shared key Public key Private key

Decrypt Encrypt Plaintext

Encryption
Unit 2 Data transmission and encryption

Plenary
• Encryption – the process of encoding data in such a way that it
becomes unreadable
• Asymmetric encryption – a public key is used to encrypt the data; a private
key is used to decrypt the data
• Symmetric encryption – a private shared key is used to encrypt and decrypt
the data
• Shared key – the secret key that is used to encrypt and decrypt
the data
• Public key – a key that anyone may see and use to
encrypt data before it is sent to someone
• Private key – the key used to decrypt data
• Decrypt – decode encrypted data back into plaintext
• Encrypt – encode data into an unreadable form
• Plaintext – text that hasn’t been encrypted
Encryption
Unit 2 Data transmission and encryption

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