Defence agencies regularly communicate and collaborate with external partners and suppliers, often exchanging sensitive data that must remain confidential at all times. Private key encryption, also known as symmetric encryption, is one of the fundamental techniques these agencies use to maintain the strictest standards of security.
What Is Private Key Encryption?
Encryption is the process of essentially transforming readable data into unintelligible code, or cypher code, so that even if an external party or unauthorised user somehow intercepts or accesses the data, they will not be able to understand it. There are two primary types of encryption: public key encryption and private key encryption.
Private key encryption utilises a single cryptographic key for both encrypting and decrypting the data. It is a popular and proven method for quickly and efficiently encrypting sensitive data and is particularly valued in fields that demand strong safeguarding of mission-critical or highly classified information, such as that regularly handled by defence and governmental organisations.
Defence agencies like the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (MOD), for example, must thoroughly understand what is OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE data and handle it with that classification in mind. They rely on techniques like symmetric encryption to protect this data, as well as other confidential files and information, for the most secure defence collaboration.
Confidentiality and Efficiency in Data Collaboration
Collaboration is fundamental for almost all defence or national security projects. For internal and external teams to collaborate effectively, they must be able to exchange data. At the same time, steps must be taken to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and authentication of that data. Without it, files and sensitive information are at far greater risk of interception and unauthorised access.
Because of this, defence agencies and teams have, in the past, been forced to resort to somewhat unconventional and even drastic measures to safeguard security. Agents may, for example, be asked to physically transport encrypted files on flash drives or other devices from one location to another because they lack a reliable and trusted digital platform to share them securely.
Secure document sharing platforms, such as Kahootz, solve this issue by leveraging the security and speed advantages of private key encryption and related processes. Secure by design and formally accredited by the MOD itself for storing and sharing OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE data, Kahootz’s symmetric encryption is the ideal choice for efficiently encrypting large amounts of data for military and other business projects.
Private Key Encryption Across the Defence Ecosystem
To be most effective, private key encryption should be utilised across the full length and breadth of the defence ecosystem as a safeguard for the sensitive data of the agencies themselves, as well as that used by remote and hybrid teams, external stakeholders, supply chain partners, investors, and any other parties who may engage with defence-related projects. It should protect data at all times, whether it is at rest or in motion.
Securing Files and Documents (Data at Rest)
“Data at rest” refers to data that is stored on devices, hard drives, and servers that are permanently in one location. Often, in the defence sector and other industries, large amounts of data exist in this state, including historical data from previous projects that can be stored in archival storage for future reference or consultation.
Internal teams, including employees and administrators, require access to this data; however, this can increase the risk of insider threats, such as intentional sabotage or inadvertent exposure. Drives and devices can also be misconfigured or unencrypted, allowing external attackers to access large amounts of data in a single instance. Cyberattackers may also attempt to breach databases or physically steal devices to obtain sensitive data.
Private key encryption is a crucial component of maintaining security, ensuring that any data stored on permanently installed servers and devices remains encrypted and unreadable to unauthorised observers or intruders. The Kahootz platform also introduces additional security measures, such as centralised document management and granular access controls, to minimise the risk of unauthorised access to data at rest.
Trusted Communication Channels (Data in Transit)
“Data in transit” refers to data being transmitted through networks, from one device to another, over Wi-Fi or other connections. In some ways, this type of data storage can be even more vulnerable to attacks than data at rest, as hackers can employ techniques such as protocol downgrades, fake hotspots, packet sniffing, DNS spoofing, and man-in-the-middle attacks, among others, to intercept or exfiltrate data as it transits.
The impact of these attacks may be lower than a major database breach, as the attackers may only be able to obtain smaller chunks of data as it moves around, rather than gaining access to an entire server’s worth of files. However, the consequences can still be great, with reputation damage, compliance failure, and other data and reputational damage at stake.
Private key encryption is crucial in securing communication channels after an initial key exchange, ensuring that sensitive data remains safe as it moves from point A to point B. The robust security architecture of the Kahootz platform provides additional protection for every data packet moving between users and trusted UK servers, including SSL/TLS connections, to effectively eliminate the threat of eavesdroppers.
Private Key Encryption as a Pillar of Secure by Design Approach
Private key encryption is a fundamental element of the Secure by Design philosophy. At a time when so much business occurs in the digital world and organisations collect and process greater quantities of sensitive data than ever before, Secure by Design has become increasingly important; it essentially acts as a framework for designing software and systems to be safe and secure, right from the outset.
Whereas, in the past, developers may have designed and developed their systems focusing first and foremost on functionality, then addressing security vulnerabilities as and when they emerged, Secure by Design encourages them to make security a No. 1 concern from the start of every project. When carried out correctly, it results in apps and systems that launch in more stable, reliable states.
Some of the core principles of Secure by Design, as outlined by authorities like the UK Cabinet Office, include data protection, defence in depth, secure configuration, and proactive threat modelling. Private key encryption is vital for several of these principles, particularly data protection, both at rest and in transit, as explained above.
As government and defence agencies evolve and embrace Secure by Design as an imperative approach to system development, rather than an optional avenue to explore, technologies like symmetric encryption will, inevitably, become more critical cornerstones of their creations and their operations. Those who learn and master this technology now will therefore be better prepared for the challenges tomorrow may bring.
Symmetric vs. Asymmetric: Selecting the Appropriate Encryption Strategy
As touched on earlier, in addition to private or symmetric encryption, there is also public/asymmetric encryption. Both have their benefits, and neither one is inherently more secure or better than the other, with many real-world systems utilising both together to enjoy their combined benefits. The table below illustrates the differences between the two in various aspects.
| Encryption Type | Private/Symmetric | Public/Asymmetric |
| Number of Keys | One key is used for both encrypting and decrypting | Uses both public and private keys (two keys total), with the public key for encryption and the private key for decryption |
| Key Sharing | The key is shared between both the sending and receiving parties | Only the public key (encryption key) is shared, while the private key is kept secret |
| Level of Security | Strong, but depends on the private key remaining private at all times | Strong, especially as the decryption key is not shared at any stage of the process |
| Speed and Performance | Fast, making this the preferred method when encrypting large amounts of data or big files | Slower than private encryption and less efficient when working with large amounts of data |
| Complexity | Uses simpler algorithms and is larger, easier to implement | Uses more complex algorithms and mathematics |
| Use Cases | Encrypting large amounts of data and files | Securing communication channels, like email |
| Example Algorithms | AES, 3DES, DES | RSA, DSA, ECC |
Both private and public key encryption are valuable and relevant in defence, but given the enormous amounts of data often involved in defence work, private tends to be the favoured method.
Private encryption also utilises the most advanced algorithms, such as the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), which was developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the U.S. and is renowned for its exceptional speed, security, and resistance to attacks.
Addressing Private Key Encryption Vulnerabilities
No cybersecurity tool or technique is flawless or foolproof, and the same applies to private key encryption. It does have vulnerabilities, but the most secure systems have features in place to address and counteract those weaknesses, which may include:
- Secure Key Distribution: For private key encryption to work, both parties have to share the same cryptographic key with one another. If that sharing or distribution process is not secure, the key could fall into the wrong hands. Platforms like Kahootz use strong cypher suites and protocols, like TLS 1.2, to ensure keys are exchanged safely, with minimal risk of interception.
- Single Point of Failure: Since the same key is used for both encrypting and decrypting data, private key encryption effectively has just one point of failure, with no backup. If the key is lost, stolen, or intercepted, the data becomes insecure and may be compromised or lost. Again, the robust security architecture that powers Kahootz helps prevent this from happening.
- Risks of Key Exposure: Encryption keys can be stored on devices that are insecure or exposed and exploited by malware, insider threats, or even simple mistakes and oversights. Again, this can lead to attackers gaining access and control of sensitive data. Kahootz mitigates this risk through features like secure access control and audit trails.
Empowering Secure Defence Collaboration with Kahootz
Defence demands truly secure collaboration, and private key encryption is a fundamental part of that. It facilitates the encrypted file transfer process, even with extremely large amounts of data or bulk files, allowing defence agencies and their supply chain partners to communicate, collaborate, and share information as safely as possible.
Kahootz is the platform that makes this happen. Purpose-built with defence industry operations in mind, the Kahootz secure cloud collaboration platform has earned the trust of multiple major UK entities, including the MOD, the National Health Service (NHS), and HM Land Registry, among others. It is the ultimate tool for storing and transmitting sensitive data with minimal risk.
Kahootz’s additional security features, such as granular access controls and role-based permissions, reinforce the strength of private key encryption, while its collaborative functions, like customisable workspaces, make collaboration simpler for all. The platform also adheres to the UK’s 14 Cloud Security Principles, as well as international security standards, such as ISO 27001.
For those in defence, as well as other fields that regularly work with large amounts of sensitive or personal data, such as healthcare and government organisations, Kahootz is the platform to choose. Contact our team today for a free demo of the system in action, or speak with one of our advisors to learn more about what Kahootz can do.
