IronSights

General

Encryption

The process of converting readable data into an unreadable format using a cryptographic algorithm, ensuring that only authorised parties with the correct decryption key can access the original information.

Also known asdata encryptionend-to-end encryptionat-rest encryptionin-transit encryption

In plain English

Encryption scrambles data so that anyone who intercepts or steals it without the key sees only meaningless characters. Modern encryption is applied at rest (files on disk and in cloud storage) and in transit (data moving across networks). Full-disk encryption on laptops — enabled by BitLocker on Windows — ensures a stolen device cannot be used to access corporate data.

Keep learning

More terms in the IronSights Glossary.