Password Hashing vs Symmetric Encryption

Developers should learn and use password hashing whenever handling user authentication in applications, such as web apps, mobile apps, or APIs, to comply with security best practices and regulations like GDPR or PCI DSS meets developers should learn symmetric encryption when building applications that require fast and efficient data protection, such as encrypting user files, securing database entries, or implementing secure communication protocols like tls/ssl. Here's our take.

Password Hashing

Nice Pick

Developers should learn and use password hashing whenever handling user authentication in applications, such as web apps, mobile apps, or APIs, to comply with security best practices and regulations like GDPR or PCI DSS

Pros

• It is critical for preventing data breaches, as weak or plain-text password storage can lead to unauthorized access and identity theft, especially in systems storing sensitive user information
• Related to: authentication, bcrypt

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Symmetric Encryption

Developers should learn symmetric encryption when building applications that require fast and efficient data protection, such as encrypting user files, securing database entries, or implementing secure communication protocols like TLS/SSL

Pros

• It is essential for scenarios where large volumes of data need to be encrypted quickly, such as in real-time systems or storage solutions, and when a shared secret can be securely exchanged between parties, like in symmetric key distribution schemes
• Related to: asymmetric-encryption, cryptography

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Password Hashing if: You want it is critical for preventing data breaches, as weak or plain-text password storage can lead to unauthorized access and identity theft, especially in systems storing sensitive user information and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Symmetric Encryption if: You prioritize it is essential for scenarios where large volumes of data need to be encrypted quickly, such as in real-time systems or storage solutions, and when a shared secret can be securely exchanged between parties, like in symmetric key distribution schemes over what Password Hashing offers.

The Bottom Line

Password Hashing wins

Developers should learn and use password hashing whenever handling user authentication in applications, such as web apps, mobile apps, or APIs, to comply with security best practices and regulations like GDPR or PCI DSS