Symmetric vs Asymmetric Encryption

Encryption and Decryption

• Symmetric

  • Use single key

• Asymmetric

  • Use public key and private key

Keys

• Symmetric

  • N keys are required to communicate with N hosts

• Asymmetric

  • 2 keys are required to communicate with N hosts

Efficiency

• Symmetric

  • Faster with easier algorithm

• Asymmetric

  • Slower with complex algorithm

Usages

• Symmetric

  • Usually used in encrypting data with large size

• Asymmetric

  • Usually used in encrypting data with small size

  • Such as digital signature.