Counter (CTR) Mode: An encryption mode that transforms a block cipher into a stream cipher. It operates by encrypting successive values of a “counter” and then XORing the output with the plaintext to produce the ciphertext. The counter value is incremented for each subsequent block, ensuring a unique sequence for each encryption. This mode allows for random access to encrypted data blocks and can provide high levels of security when implemented correctly. Additionally, CTR mode allows for parallel processing of blocks, which enhances performance.
Categories: CC D5: Security Operations | CCSP D2: Cloud Data Security | CISM D3: Information Security Program | CISSP D3: Security Architecture and Engineering | Security+ D1: General Security Concepts | SSCP D5: Cryptography
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