Page 205 - Cyber Defense eMagazine Annual RSA Edition for 2024

Hashing It Out: The Secret Weapon of Your

Data (and Why It Matters)

Dive into the world of cryptography and discover how a simple recipe keeps your information
safe!

By Joe Guerra, Cybersecurity Professor, Hallmark University

What is a hashing algorithm?

A hashing algorithm is the special recipe that creates the unique fingerprint (hash) for your data. It's the
behind-the-scenes math that turns any kind of data into a fixed-size code.

Here's a deeper dive for a cybersecurity professional:

• The Mathy Bits: Hashing algorithms are complex mathematical functions, but you don't need to
be a math whiz to understand how they work. Imagine the function takes your data and puts it
through a series of steps, like chopping it up, scrambling it, and mixing it all together. The final

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