Encryption (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Computer Science)

Complete the sentences about symmetric encryption.

Use the terms from the list.

Some of the terms in the list will not be used. You should only use a term once.

• algorithm

• cipher

• copied

• delete

• key

• plain

• private

• public

• standard

• stolen

• understood

• unreadable

The data before encryption is known as .................................................. text. To scramble the data, an encryption .................................................., which is a type of .................................................., is used.

The data after encryption is known as .................................................. text. Encryption prevents the data from being .................................................. by a hacker.

A company is setting up both wireless and wired networks for secure communication between employees. The IT team must ensure that all data transmitted across the networks is encrypted.

Describe how encryption protects data transmitted over wireless networks.

In your answer explain:

• the role of the 'master key' in this process

• the importance of not transmitting the master key