Differences between Symmetric and Asymmetric Encryption in Cybersecurity

Symmetric encryption uses a single key for both encryption and decryption, meaning the same key is used to lock and unlock the information. This makes symmetric encryption faster and more efficient for large amounts of data. However, it requires secure key exchange mechanisms to ensure the key remains confidential.

Asymmetric encryption, on the other hand, uses a pair of keys - a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. This provides a higher level of security as the private key is kept secret. Asymmetric encryption is commonly used for secure communication over the internet, such as in SSL/TLS protocols.

In summary, symmetric encryption is fast and efficient but requires secure key management, while asymmetric encryption provides higher security but is slower due to the need for key pairs.