An approach for an adaptive, performance-oriented, and compression-assisted encryption scheme implemented on a host computer to adaptively improve utilization of CPU resources is provided. The method comprises queueing a new data packet and determining a size of the new data packet. Based on historical data, a plurality of already encrypted data packets is determined. Based on information stored for the plurality of already encrypted data packets, an average ratio of compression for the plurality of already encrypted data packets is determined. Based on the average ratio of compression, a throughput of compression value and a throughput of encryption value, a prediction whether compressing the new data packet will reduce a CPU load is derived. If it is determined that compressing the new data packet will improve utilization of the CPU resources, then a compressed new data packet is generated by compressing the new data packet.