What is the difference between asymmetric and symmetric encryption, and which one is better?
When comparing Asymmetric and Symmetric encryption, there are many things you need to be aware of. Not only will you need to know the difference between the two, but how they are used, and which one is better in a particular situation. It's important that you can articulate to the hiring manager examples of how you used both in specific situations and what you did to put an air-tight security solution in place that is impenetrable. Cyber Security has become one of the most important topics in technology today. Anytime you're processing credit card transactions through a payment gateway online, or at a brick and mortar retail store, you're dealing with vital consumer information, and hiring managers are going to want to hear how you keep these things protected.
"When I work with asymmetric encryption, I always take into account that there has to be a private key and a public key for anyone sending a message. I have to adhere to a decryption policy for where and how the public and private are stored and shared. The way I view the differences between the two is the execution of asymmetric encryption algorithms is slower than symmetric encryption algorithms. Although asymmetric encryption is mostly used for exchanging keys in a secure manner, it is used for establishing a secure channel over a non-secure medium such as the internet. The most common form of an encryption algorithm is Diffie-Hellman."
"In my current role, I do work with symmetric encryption. Since symmetric encryption which uses a single key for encryption and decryption, I am responsible for monitoring the data transmission of those communication messages to prevent a potential intrusion or breach alert. As with many symmetric encryption algorithms, they execute faster, are less complex than asymmetric encryption, and are a preferred method of encryption communication. The most commonly used symmetric encryption algorithms are 3 DES, AES, DES, and RC4."
This is a two-part question. The interviewer first wants you to define the differences between asymmetric and symmetric encryption and then state your opinion on which one is more effective. Interviewers expect you to respond not only with your opinion of which of these you prefer but also with the rationale behind your thoughts. Make sure you answer both parts of this question, keeping your responses succinct and to the point. You should anticipate the interviewer wanting to explore the rationale behind your answer in more detail.
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