Encrypted traffic: The hidden risks and how network devices should handle it

By Abhishek Srinivasan, Director of Products, Array Networks

In today’s digital world, encryption is all around. From social media interactions to online banking, encryption prevents our data from attackers. It is a basic element of online safety. Encryption safeguards information, but it also creates problems for the networks that deliver and secure it. Network equipment becomes vulnerable to hidden risks which can affect visibility, security and performance when more communication is encrypted.

Let’s examine what encrypted communication involves, the risks that it presents and how network systems need to handle it.

What is encrypted traffic?

Encrypted traffic refers to information that has been transformed into a safe format that only authentic elements can access. Your browser and the server exchange encrypted data, when you visit a “https://” website. This safeguard passwords, interactions and private data from being seen by others.

Encryption use is old. in ...