Automate OpenPGP and GPG Encryption

OpenPGP is an open standard for encrypting and digitally signing files and messages. It defines interoperable formats for encrypted data, signatures, and keys. The term  “OpenPGP” is commonly used to describe tools, features, and solutions that support open-source PGP encryption technology.

OpenPGP gives developers a way to include PGP in software that often are free to the public. To do so, developers and vendors who include OpenPGP in their software solutions must follow IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) standards and allow for easy integration with other OpenPGP-compliant software vendors.

Keep reading: OpenPGP, PGP, and GPG: What is the Difference?

Open PGP uses asymmetric (public key) cryptography and addresses the issues of data authentication and non-repudiation through the ability to "sign" files via embedded digital signatures. When implemented with appropriate algorithms, key sizes, and key-management practices, OpenPGP can provide strong confidentiality and integrity protection. These features give organizations a high level of data protection, making Open PGP one of the most popular file encryption methods used today.

Why Use OpenPGP File Encryption?

OpenPGP file encryption, like standard file encryption with PGP, lets you store sensitive information or transmit information across unsecure networks (i.e., the internet or email) so only the intended recipient can read it.

Organizations use OpenPGP to protect sensitive files before they are transferred, stored, or exchanged with external partners'. Because encryption is applied at the file level, the file can remain protected independently of the transport method used to move it. Examples of enterprise use cases include:

• Partner file exchange
• Financial data
• Healthcare information
• Batch files
• Reports
• Data exports

Who Uses OpenPGP?

Open PGP software is used by banks, financial institutions, healthcare organizations, and other industries to protect their most sensitive files. OpenPGP is especially useful when organizations exchange sensitive files with partners that require PGP-compatible encryption. Some common examples of such files are:

• Payment files
• Claims files
• Customer data
• Financial reports

PGP, Pretty Good Privacy, is a standard option for file encryption and authentication. It is currently owned by Symantec, a technology company that develops and sells software solutions.

PGP is used to encrypt files to secure them for file transfer. It uses several encryption technologies, including hashing, data compression, and public/private keys to protect sensitive information. PGP is a flexible solution for today’s cybersecurity needs: it is often used to encrypt files before exchanging them with trading partners or remote locations and can also encrypt emails, directories, and disk partitions.

PGP uses a combination of encryption methodologies, including hashing, data compression, symmetric-key cryptography, and public-key cryptography to secure data. It can be used to encrypt:

• Text files
• Emails
• Data files
• Directories
• Disk partitions
• Reports and business documents
• Files exchanged with trading partners
• Application and system data exports
   

Ultimately, OpenPGP can provide strong file protection when organizations use appropriate cryptographic settings and manage private keys securely.

How PGP Encryption Works

By transforming plain, readable text into a complex code of unreadable characters, PGP file encryption provides essential privacy missing from online communication. Once encrypted—hashed, data compressed, and “locked” via either symmetric private key cryptography or asymmetric public key cryptography—the message travels to the recipient fully cyphered. The recipient then uses PGP to decrypt the message.

With this system, each user has both:

• An encryption key that is publicly known and can be provided to the recipient
• A private key that is known only to each user and should be kept secret

The public key encrypts the message or file, while the private key decrypts.

This encryption standard addresses the issues of data authentication and non-repudiation through the ability to "sign" files via embedded digital signatures. Digital signatures use public-key cryptography to authenticate that data is coming from the source it claims to be from and has not been tampered with. Digital signatures are sent alongside the message body and work by using an algorithm to combine the sender’s private key with the data they are authenticating. The process makes digital signatures essentially impossible to forge unless the private key has been compromised.

Keep reading: Everything You Need to Know about PGP Encryption

Sending Files with PGP

PGP is used to encrypt or decrypt the file you exchange and having a trustworthy PGP software is paramount.

For sending files with PGP, the sender will need to have access to the recipient’s public key before they can send their files. Once the file is compressed, PGP will efficiently encrypt the plaintext with private key cryptography, turning the message into ciphertext. The session key is then encrypted using the sender’s public key. Once the recipient has received the encrypted file, they can decrypt it using their private key.

The History of PGP

PGP was developed in the early 1990s by Phil Zimmermann & Associates, LLC as a method of securing files that were posted on pre-internet bulletin boards. PGP has changed ownership several times between the 90s and now, and is currently owned by Symantec.

PGP gained popularity because it was initially available freely, which made it attractive to users who wanted to encrypt files and send encrypted emails at no cost. The layers of security are also attractive and helped file encryption with PGP spread among security-conscious users – PGP uses both symmetric encryption and public key encryption, so users can send or receive messages from people they’re never met without exchanging private encryption keys.

Is PGP Still Used Today?

 PGP, OpenPGP, and GPG are all still in use today, and they continue to be secure methods to encrypt your data. PGP-compatible encryption remains relevant for file-based workflows, especially where organizations and trading partners need interoperable encryption, digital signatures, and automated key-based processes.

GPG, or GnuPG, is a different implementation of the OpenPGP standard (more on that below), and a powerful alternative to Symantec’s official PGP software. Also known as the GNU Privacy Guard, GPG is useful in that it works well with non-GPG-based products and can open and decrypt files encrypted by PGP or OpenPGP.

Keep reading: PGP vs. GPG: What’s the Difference?