What is the primary purpose of encryption in data security?

The primary purpose of encryption in data security is indeed to scramble data into an unreadable format. Encryption transforms plaintext into ciphertext using algorithms and keys, making it inaccessible and indecipherable to unauthorized users. This process protects sensitive information from theft or unauthorized access, ensuring that even if data is intercepted during transmission or accessed on storage devices, it remains secure.

While making data readable and storing data securely are important aspects of data management, they do not align with the primary function of encryption. The act of backing up data is also crucial but separate from the concept of encryption, which focuses specifically on securing data through obfuscation. Scrambling data ensures that only those with the proper decryption keys can read and access the information, thereby safeguarding its confidentiality.