Information value importance in data protection

Data has inherent value. High for one individual and priceless for another. People protect information and in its digital representation, use encryption. How does encryption relate to information vale?

One of the main cryptography characteristics is algorithm resistance to attacks. The cryptographically strong algorithm would resist all known attacks long enough to protect it.

"Long enough" depends on the case, but the general answer is linked to information value. The information value changes over time. Credit card data has high value now and becomes useless in 10 years. That means that the cryptography algorithm must protect information until it has value.

Most of the cryptographic algorithms are based on a mathematical problem, that can be hardly solved without knowledge of a secret key. Ultimately, they are not unbreakable, but only very-very-very hard to brake. You can solve that problem and recreate an initial message, but usually, the solution will take much longer than information will hold its value. An attacker can try using more resources and do it faster or omit the attack if it not practical.

Most of the modern cryptography algorithms are designed in the way, so to break them using current technologies centuries or eras are required. They would resist to crypto-kiddies and government-backed hacking groups with unlimited resources. If appropriately applied and you did not write in the notes your key, you are safe. In the concept of information value, they are unbreakable, because no information will have such a long-lasting value.

Keep in mind the fundamental principle. The cost of an attack should not outweigh the information value.