Which statement best describes encryption in data security?

Which statement best describes encryption in data security?

• A. Encryption protects data at rest and in transit by converting it into unreadable form without the key
• B. Encryption makes data faster to access
• C. Encryption only applies to physical security
• D. Encryption is a type of firewall

Answer: (A)

Encryption protects data by turning it into an unreadable form unless the correct key is used. This safeguards data in two states: at rest (stored on disks or databases) and in transit (moving over networks). Because only someone with the key can decrypt it, authorized users can access the original information while others cannot interpret what they see, even if they intercept the data. This focus on confidentiality during storage and transmission is what makes encryption a fundamental data security tool. It's not about speeding up access, not limited to physical security, and not a firewall.

Encryption protects data by turning it into an unreadable form unless the correct key is used. This safeguards data in two states: at rest (stored on disks or databases) and in transit (moving over networks). Because only someone with the key can decrypt it, authorized users can access the original information while others cannot interpret what they see, even if they intercept the data. This focus on confidentiality during storage and transmission is what makes encryption a fundamental data security tool. It's not about speeding up access, not limited to physical security, and not a firewall.