Why do you need both encryption and passwords to be secure?

Think a password is enough to keep your data safe? It's not. Even the strongest password you can use doesn't encrypt your data. To truly secure your personal information, you need both a strong password and strong encryption.

1. Why is encryption important for data backup?

What is the password?

A password is a string of characters used to verify your identity and grant access to a system. Passwords play a vital role in authentication in today's digital world. Passwords are the keys to everything from your email and social media accounts to your bank account.

To keep your account secure, the idea behind a password is that only you should know it. This ensures that you are the only person who can access your account, as your identity verification system relies heavily on that password.

Your password should also be unique. You can make your password more secure by using a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols for added protection. However, a strong password alone is not foolproof.

That's why it's recommended that you take your security even further by adding an extra layer of protection using various multi-factor authentication methods. However, passwords are often the first line of defense in digital security, making them essential, but not sufficient.

What is encryption?

Encryption is the process of converting readable data (plain text) into an unreadable, encrypted format (cipher text) to protect the data from unauthorized access. To understand encryption, think of it as locking your information in a safe so that only those with the right key can open and access the data.

Even if someone steals your data, they won't be able to access it unless they have the right decryption key. Whether you're sending messages, storing files, or shopping online, encryption ensures that even if someone intercepts your data, they won't be able to understand it.

Encryption is essential for sensitive information, including financial records, medical data, and confidential business communications. Without it, these details are vulnerable to unauthorized access while in storage or in transit. But you use encryption all the time without realizing it: The HTTPS icon in the address bar of this very website means you're using an encrypted connection.

There are two main types of encryption: Symmetric and Asymmetric. Symmetric encryption uses the same key to encrypt and decrypt, while asymmetric encryption uses two keys — a public key to encrypt and a private key to decrypt. Modern technologies, such as HTTPS and end-to-end encrypted chats in messaging apps, rely on these methods to protect your privacy.

Encryption operates at many levels in modern computer systems. As we store more and more data in digital form, it becomes more important than ever. The importance of encryption in the hyper-connected world of computers and networks cannot be overstated. Encryption is important, even for backing up your data.

The main difference between encryption and password

While both passwords and encryption help protect data, they serve different purposes. The first major difference lies in their purpose. Passwords are used to verify a user's identity and act as a key to unlock an account or device. Encryption, on the other hand, is used to protect data by making it unreadable to a third party (or even you) if you lose the encryption key. Second, passwords provide access to a system, while encryption ensures privacy even if access is compromised.

For example, when you shop online, you use a password to log in to your Amazon account. But the new encryption ensures that your credit card details and personal information are transmitted securely, making it unreadable to hackers who are eavesdropping on your network.

Why do you need both encryption and password?

Now that you understand what passwords and encryption do, don't worry about which is better. To truly protect your digital life, you need both working together to create a strong, multi-layered line of defense. Using a password is standard practice to protect your account or device from unauthorized access. However, using a password alone is not enough.

A security best practice is to use passwords as the gatekeeper to control who can access your account or device. Encryption then keeps the data unreadable—and thus private—even if someone hacks your password.

Don't think of encryption and passwords as separate lines of defense; they work together to keep all your data safe.

This combination is important, especially in today's world of data breaches and cyber attacks. Your passwords can be stolen, but if your files are encrypted, the attacker won't be able to access them.

Passwords and encryption aren't interchangeable—they're complementary tools that work best together. A strong password will keep intruders out, but encryption ensures your data stays safe even if someone breaks in, a common risk in today's connected world.

By using both, you'll build a stronger, more reliable defense around your personal information, which is essential, especially in today's digital world full of threats. To keep your backups and devices safe, you should use both for maximum protection.

Lesley Montoya

Update 05 June 2025