Businesses are now recording as much information about their customers as possible.
While this information is useful for increasing sales, it also comes with the responsibility of keeping it private.
Unfortunately, this is something that many businesses fail at.
The primary way to keep data private is to use encryption.
Once data is encrypted, it cannot be accessed by anyone unless they have the password.
There are two ways to encrypt filesthrough hardware-based or software-based methods.
So, what is the difference between physical drive encryption and software drive encryption?
And which one should you use?
Why Is Encryption Important?
You should encrypt data to prevent unauthorized users from accessing and stealing it.
It’s, therefore, something that both businesses and private individuals alike should use.
While businesses are the primary targets, private individuals are also potential targets.
Attacks against individuals often involve financial information which can be used to make unauthorized purchases.
The stolen personal information from individuals can also be used for identity theft.
What Is Software Drive Encryption?
Software encryption uses programs and a computer’s processor to encrypt files.
Although the data can be stored on a portable drive, the computer performs the actual encryption.
Software encryption uses a password as an encryption key.
It is not, however, suitable for all purposes.
Nevertheless, it still has its place in data security.
So, these are the advantages and disadvantages of using software encryption.
Unlike physical encryption, a business doesn’t need to distribute hardware to employees.
You also do not need to keep a physical rig in your possession to use software encryption.
Pros: Software Encryption Is Affordable
Software encryption is often cheaper than physical encryption.
For example, some of thebest software encryption programsare free, whereas physical encryption requires hardware purchases.
Hackers infiltrating the OS might compromise the system and break the encryption.
They could also attempta brute force attackto decrypt the protected files.
This would let the hacker have unlimited attempts at cracking the password.
What Is Physical Drive Encryption?
Physical encryption uses hardware to protect your files.
Furthermore, physical drive encryption does not slow down the system.
Pros and Cons of Physical Drive Encryption
Physical encryption offers increased security and does not affect performance.
However, it’s not a solution for everyone.
Even if the computer is compromised, the encrypted data remains secure because its encryption is stored separately.
Furthermore, brute force attacks are also ineffective because the physical gadget automatically limits password attempts.
Pros: Physical Encryption Does Not Affect Performance
The physical machine’s processor handles physical encryption.
This allows the user to encrypt or decrypt large amounts of data without slowing their computer down.
Cons: Physical Encryption Is More Expensive
Physical drive encryption requires hardware purchase.
Some physical encryption drives cannot be upgraded and must be replaced if their encryption method becomes unsuitable.
Physical Drive Encryption vs. Software Drive Encryption: What’s the Difference?
These are the primary differences between physical drive encryption and software drive encryption.
Software Drive Encryption
Physical Drive Encryption
Price
Software encryption programs are often available to use for free.
Physical encryption requires the purchase of hardware.
Ease of Use
Software encryption is easier to use.
Physical encryption requires possession of hardware and is difficult to upgrade.
Performance
Software encryption affects performance because the system’s processor handles encryption and decryption.
Physical encryption does not affect performance because the physical drive’s processor handles encryption and decryption.
Security
Software encryption is only as secure as the system’s OS.
Software encryption may be defeated using brute force attacks.
Physical encryption is significantly more secure.
Vulnerabilities in the system’s OS are irrelevant.
Brute force attacks are ineffective.
Who Should Use It
Software encryption should be used by anyone who prioritizes price.
It is useful for personal use and for protecting general information.
Physical encryption should be used by anyone who prioritizes security.
Businesses should use it for customer information or to protect significant assets like cryptocurrencies.
Physical Drive Encryption Is Often Necessary
Encryption is crucial for storing private information.
Without it, anyone who accesses the gear where your data is stored could retrieve and read it.
Software drive encryption is significantly cheaper and easier to use.
It is, therefore, ideal for protecting general information, like records and archives.
