The Disadvantages of Encrypted Connections
Data encryption seems like a no brainer, as it protects sensitive data like names, passwords and email addresses from dangerous hackers. Encrypted connections function by translating plain text into ciphers, which require a key code to unlock. As Spam Laws notes, "an encrypted message uses a key to trigger the algorithm mechanism to decrypt the data." While there are clear advantages to encrypted connections, there are a few disadvantages as well, such as cost, lack of data compression and aversion to alternative methods of data security.
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Encryption Keys
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Most general Internet surfers don't have to deal with generating, handling and storing encryption keys. However, if your website or Internet Service Provider (ISP) provides encrypted data connection, they will have to store usernames, passwords and encryption keys on their database. Depending on the complexity of the encryption software, your encryption key can be incredibly complex. For instance, a sample encryption key for an 8-bit wireless encryption key password (WEP) could be: "6d6f6e6b65792062616c6c73." If this key is lost, your data will be nearly impossible to decrypt.
Cost
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Many encrypted data connections run on expensive proprietary software. According to the American Medical Association, new healthcare laws -- which require encryption of sensitive medical records -- often utilize hardware security methods (HSMs) that can be quite expensive. However, some encryption tools, such as BitLocker or TrueCrypt, can be used for free.
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Data Compression
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Vast amounts of data travel over the Internet everyday. Data compression allows that data to be "compacted" as it travels the World Wide Web and "unpacked" when on the user's personal computer. According to John Magnabosco, author of "Transparent Data Encryption," encrypted data can only be minimally compressed, and therefore requires higher connection speeds to achieve the same performance.
Alternative Methods
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Encrypted connections translate plain text into ciphers as it travels from a user's computer to the website's server. However, Magnabosco has detailed an alternative method to encryption, known as transparent data encryption (TSE). In this system, information is encrypted on the database itself. This method makes data on the server more secure, but leaves packets of data vulnerable and roaming the Interne. Magnabosco suggests a combination of data encryption methods, but so much emphasis is put on encrypted connections that TSE is often overlooked.
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