Message Authentication Codes vs Digital Signatures

Developers should learn and use MACs when building secure systems that require data integrity and authentication, such as in network protocols (e meets developers should learn digital signatures when building systems requiring data integrity, non-repudiation, or authentication, such as in secure apis, blockchain transactions, or document signing applications. Here's our take.

Message Authentication Codes

Nice Pick

Developers should learn and use MACs when building secure systems that require data integrity and authentication, such as in network protocols (e

Pros

• g
• Related to: cryptography, hash-functions

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Digital Signatures

Developers should learn digital signatures when building systems requiring data integrity, non-repudiation, or authentication, such as in secure APIs, blockchain transactions, or document signing applications

Pros

• They are essential for compliance with security standards like GDPR or HIPAA, and for implementing features like code signing in software releases to prevent malware distribution
• Related to: public-key-infrastructure, cryptography

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Message Authentication Codes if: You want g and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Digital Signatures if: You prioritize they are essential for compliance with security standards like gdpr or hipaa, and for implementing features like code signing in software releases to prevent malware distribution over what Message Authentication Codes offers.

The Bottom Line

Message Authentication Codes wins

Developers should learn and use MACs when building secure systems that require data integrity and authentication, such as in network protocols (e