End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is the act of applying encryption to messages on one device such that only the device to which it is sent can decrypt it. The message travels from the sender to the recipient in encrypted form.
Encryption for military communications dates back to at least ancient Rome where non-standard symbols were used to communicate messages that required a cypher to understand, or decrypt. In early military encryption, the symbols in messages would be shifted so that if intercepted while in transit, the interceptor could not make sense of the message without a cipher. This could be as simple as moving letters one iteration down from the original message.
As you might imagine, the introduction of encryption lead to attempts to surreptitiously decrypt messages, which increased the complexity of encryption methods. Ciphers were developed and distributed to break encryption methods.
With the advent of computing, the volume a data transmission (and value of data) increased, and so the necessity for “unbreakable” encryption methods were apparent to any organization wanting to keep its information confidential.
Encryption-in-transit, whereby messages are encrypted on the sender’s end, delivered to a server and decrypted, re-encrypted, and then delivered to the recipient and decrypted on their end.
End-to-end Encryption removes the server as the connector between sender and recipient, which ensures security along the communication path by ensuring that only the recipient can see the message.
At NeuStyle, we are developing an end-to-encryption tool named NeuTeria.
Think of encryption-in-transit as sending a secret message through Canada Post. You as the sender have encrypted your message and the intended recipient has a cipher to decrypt the message. The obvious weak point in this method is the postal worker, who can open the envelope, and then modify your message or decrypt your message if he has access to the cipher.
Think of NeuTeria as sending a secret message in a physically indestructible box, with no keyhole to pick or hinges to pry open. The box arrives at your recipient’s address without a postal worker and can only be opened and decrypted by the recipient.
NeuTeria provides the ability to send and receive asynchronous E2EE Mail with Perfect Forward Secrecy. You may want to open a temporary PO Box to process Key Exchange, pass on a public key, or send a message. To NeuTeria, all messages are simply an addressed payload of encrypted information waiting to be retrieved.
We want to deliver the strength of end-to-end encryption to our fellow Canadian developers and IT professionals in two ways:
- Send Me Something – our secret sharing platform that allows organizations to share confidential information with the peace-of-mind offered by E2EE. Everything from password resets, credit card details, to highly confidential discussions can be communicated directly and securely.
- End-to-End Encryption as a Service (E2EEaaS) – our encryption service that can be embedded into your software application or IoT project. With E2EEaaS, you get the best encryption method built into your products, exceeding regulatory standards, and setting you apart from competitors.