RAID Adapters 101: A Guide to Controller-Based Encryption (CBE)
In Microchip’s RAID Adapters series, learn about how you can enhance your security through encryption to protect your private information and sensitive data.
Currently, encryption is one of the most popular and effective data security methods used by organizations. It is the process of translating data into another form (code), so that only people with a secret key have access to it.
In this second installment of a series: AdaptecÒ SmartRAID RAID Adapters 101, we highlight the importance of data encryption, go over different methods, the advantages and disadvantages, and hopefully provide you with enough knowledge to make an informed decision of what practice best fits your environment. 
What Does Data Encryption Offer You and Why Should You Use It?
Whether you are an individual, small business, or large multinational company, you rely on computer systems every day. For instance, the recent cyber-attack on the US major oil and gas pipeline, is the latest reminder that both the frequency and severity of cybercrime are on the rise. Critical infrastructure industries such as oil and gas are becoming increasingly digitalized, and their security vulnerability can create consequences we are all impacted by. Cybersecurity Ventures, the world's leading researcher for the global cyber economy, predicts cybercrime costs will grow by 15 percent annually over the next five years, potentially reaching $10.5 trillion per year by 2025. In comparison, this number was $6 trillion in 2020. As these numbers continue to grow, governments, corporations and small businesses alike must work to protect themselves from technological vulnerabilities. To minimize the direct and indirect costs of cybercrime to you, your business, and your customers, it is essential to implement safeguards with encryption, adding an elevated layer of security. Data encryption:
- Ensures privacy, prevents incerception and reading of sensitive data
- Provides security, helps prevent data breaches
- Keeps you compliant with current government and industry standards and regulations
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Available Eencryption Methods?
Below I’ve included a few helpful charts to explain the three different methods of encryption along with their advantages and disadvantages. Take a moment to compare the differences while thinking about your specific business needs.
Find out additional detailed information regarding the more advanced encryption method, maxCrypto™, available on the SmartRAID 3162-8i/e.
In summary, encryption protects private information, sensitive data, and can enhance the security of your communication. While different methods exist, Controller Based Encryption (CBE) needs fewer hardware implementations and therefore reduces deployment complexity. The lifecycle of a maxCrypto™ CBE controller is also generally much longer than that of host computers and/or storage disks, which means the CBE controller provides you with a more time-saving and cost-effective option.
Additional Resources:
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