A hardware security module (HSM) can perform core cryptographic operations and store keys in a way that prevents them from being extracted from the HSM.Įncryption can play an important role in password storage, and numerous cryptographic algorithms and techniques are available. Protecting cryptographic keys is essential, since a bad actor with the key can unlock the encryption to recover passwords. ![]() Anyone with the correct cryptographic key can take ciphertext and reverse it to reveal plaintext passwords, making them less secure. Some authentication systems still require reversible passwords. Encryption is a two-way function, meaning the original plaintext password that is encrypted into ciphertext can be returned to plaintext by decrypting it. Read on to learn more about encryption, hashing and salting and how they are used.Įncryption is a method for securing a password (plaintext) by converting it, using a mathematical formula, into a scrambled version (ciphertext). These functions take place in the background, as does salting, without adding friction to the user experience.Įnterprises that must use passwords should always use proven cryptographic tools for keeping passwords safe rather than trying to build their own from scratch. ![]() ![]() Password hashing is typical on the server side when the server operators don't need to know the plaintext, they just need to demonstrate that the user knows the plaintext. Password encryption is used when the plaintext must be recovered for any reason. Hashing and encryption are both ways to keep data safe, but have different functions.
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