Information Technology Specialist (ITS) Cybersecurity Practice Exam

Which are the two classes of encryption algorithms?

1. Asymmetric and Symmetric

2. Public and Private

3. Digital and Analog

4. Concatenated and Hashed

The correct answer is: Asymmetric and Symmetric

The two classes of encryption algorithms are asymmetric and symmetric. Symmetric encryption algorithms use the same key for both encryption and decryption. This means that both the sender and receiver must possess the secret key to securely transmit and access the data. This method is efficient and faster than asymmetric encryption, which is why it is often used for encrypting large volumes of data. Asymmetric encryption, on the other hand, uses a pair of keys: a public key and a private key. The public key is shared openly, while the private key is kept secret by the owner. This allows for secure communications without the need to share sensitive keys openly. Data encrypted with the public key can only be decrypted by the corresponding private key, providing an additional layer of security, especially in scenarios such as establishing secure connections over networks. The remaining options refer to different types of keys or encryption methods but do not accurately classify the main categories of encryption algorithms. For example, public and private describe the keys used in asymmetric encryption but do not encompass the broader classification of encryption types. Digital and analog pertain to signal types rather than encryption, while concatenated and hashed are specific techniques and functions applied within encryption but are not classes of encryption algorithms themselves.