This October, we celebrated Global Encryption Day for the third year in a row, joining a global community to recognize encryption’s essential role in safeguarding online privacy and security. Hosted annually by the Global Encryption Coalition on October 21, this event draws attention to encryption’s importance, uniting organizations, businesses, tech experts, and individuals worldwide. Encryption isn’t just for cybersecurity businesses — it’s also vital for messaging apps to create trust and ensure safe, private online communication.
Why strong encryption is vital for online privacy
Encryption is crucial in our digital lives as a protective shield for our online activities. “It’s like having a secret code that keeps everything private and secure,” says Miguel Fornés, a cybersecurity expert at Surfshark. He compares it to driving an armored vehicle on the internet highway, transforming online actions into unreadable data that can’t be accessed without authorization. Ryan Polk, director of Internet Policy at the Internet Society, adds, “Encryption keeps us safe, protects our privacy, and defends democracy.”
Adapting encryption for future threats
As encryption faces increasing regulatory and technological pressures, the need to protect it becomes more apparent. Innovations like post-quantum cryptography and AI-assisted encryption pave the way for the future, safeguarding data privacy even as new technologies emerge. Today, tools like homomorphic encryption allow data processing without compromising security, a big win for privacy and functionality.
Our ongoing commitment to a secure online future
Although quantum computing could pose a threat to current encryption methods in the future, the main vulnerabilities right now come down to everyday security practices. Miguel Fornés highlights that online safety starts with simple steps, and every person should be responsible for implementing strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication on their online accounts.
As supporters and friends of the Global Encryption Coalition, we understand the importance of encryption, and we’re continually investing in the latest encryption technology, strengthening our security practices, and running a bug bounty program to help protect our users’ data. We also encourage other businesses and messaging apps to follow the highest standards of encryption practices and contribute to promoting online privacy and security.
