What is the effect of selecting more than one hash algorithm in Integrity Monitoring?

Selecting more than one hash algorithm in Integrity Monitoring typically has a detrimental effect on performance. When multiple algorithms are employed, the monitoring system must perform additional calculations for each file or data segment being scanned. Each hash algorithm uses a different mathematical process to generate a hash value, and by using several algorithms, the system incurs extra computational overhead. This results in longer processing times as the system must compute and compare multiple hash values rather than just one.

In contrast, using a single algorithm streamlines the process, allowing for faster and more efficient integrity checks. The additional resource expenditure from multiple algorithms can lead to a decrease in overall system responsiveness, particularly if the monitored environment is large and complex. Thus, while multiple hash algorithms may provide enhanced security by enabling redundancy and diversification of checks, the trade-off is typically a reduction in performance efficiency.