What is the purpose of data encryption?

The purpose of data encryption primarily revolves around securing information by transforming it into a format that is unreadable to anyone who does not possess the correct decryption key. This process protects sensitive data from unauthorized access, ensuring that even if data is intercepted or accessed by malicious entities, it remains confidential and infeasible for them to understand or utilize.

By encrypting data, organizations can maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive information, such as personal identification data, financial details, or proprietary business information. This level of security is essential in countless scenarios, including online transactions, communications, and data storage, where the risk of unauthorized access is significant.

While other options touch on important aspects of data handling—such as data recovery or improved transmission speeds—these do not address the central aim of encryption, which is to safeguard information from being accessed or discerned without proper authorization.