What Is a Cipher? Definition, Purpose, and Types | NinjaOne (2024)

The term “cipher” is mentioned all the time in cybersecurity because of the important role it plays in protecting data. A cipher serves as a critical tool in the realm of data encryption and is integral to ensuring the security and privacy of digital information.

What is a cipher?

A cipher can be defined as an algorithm or a series of well-defined steps which are used for encryption or decryption of data. In simpler terms, it is a method of transforming original data, known as plaintext, into a scrambled, unreadable format, known as ciphertext, and vice versa.

How does a cipher work?

The working of a cipher involves two main elements: the algorithm and the key. The algorithm, which is the set of rules defining how the encryption and decryption process works, is publicly known. However, the key, a piece of information used in the encryption process, is kept secret. When a message is encrypted using a cipher, the key transforms the plaintext into ciphertext. During decryption, the same key is utilized to convert the ciphertext back into the original plaintext.

What is the purpose of a cipher?

Ciphers play a pivotal role in maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of digital information. As recent cybersecurity statistics show, cyberattacks are on the rise, so data needs to be protected. Ciphers are essential in preventing unauthorized access to sensitive data, thus providing a robust line of defense against cyber threats. Moreover, they enable secure communication over unsecured networks, allowing individuals and organizations to transmit data with confidence.

4 types of ciphers

There are numerous types of ciphers, each with its unique method of encryption and decryption. Some of the most commonly used ones include:

1) Substitution cipher

In this category of ciphers, one set of characters is replaced by another. The characters in the plaintext are systematically replaced with other characters to create the ciphertext. It is worth noting that in a simple substitution cipher, each letter is replaced by another specific letter. However, in a hom*ophonic substitution cipher, one letter can be replaced by multiple letters, thereby increasing complexity and security.

2) Transposition cipher

Here, the creation of ciphertext is accomplished not by substituting characters but by changing their original order in the plaintext. The characters remain the same; however, their positions are shuffled according to a well-defined scheme. This method leads to a completely different ciphertext even though all original characters are retained.

3) Stream cipher

This is a method in which individual bits of plaintext are encrypted one at a time. Stream ciphers generate what is known as a keystream, a seemingly random sequence of bits that are combined with the plaintext bits to produce the ciphertext. The most critical aspect of stream ciphers is that the keystream must be known only to the sender and receiver and must be completely random for maximum security.

4) Block cipher

Contrary to stream ciphers, block ciphers operate on chunks, or blocks, of plaintext. These blocks, usually of a fixed length, are encrypted as a single unit to produce a block of ciphertext. Block ciphers use a secret key that is applied to the block of plaintext to encrypt it into ciphertext. The same key is used to decrypt the ciphertext back into the original plaintext. The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), widely used across the globe, is an example of a block cipher.

Ciphers: Indispensable for IT security

Ciphers are an indispensable aspect of modern-day data security. By enabling secure encryption and decryption of information, they serve as the bedrock of cybersecurity, safeguarding sensitive data from unauthorized access and cyber threats. Understanding what a cipher is, how it functions, and its various types can provide valuable insights into the realm of data security and encryption.