Which of the following best describes the concept of encryption in cybersecurity?

Encryption in cybersecurity plays a crucial role in protecting sensitive information by transforming it into a format that is unreadable to anyone who does not possess the appropriate decryption key. The primary purpose of encryption is to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of data, safeguarding it from unauthorized access or exposure. When data is encrypted, even if it is intercepted during transmission or accessed through unauthorized means, it will appear as a meaningless string of characters without the correct key to decrypt it back into its original form.

This method is widely used in various applications ranging from secure communications (like emails, messaging apps, and VPNs) to safeguarding stored data on devices. By converting plaintext into ciphertext, encryption effectively secures personal information, financial transactions, and confidential business documents, making it a cornerstone of modern cybersecurity practices.