Data encryption is a potent security measure that transforms sensitive data into unreadable gibberish to ensure that only the intended recipient will be able to decode it. It is an essential component of digital transformation as it helps protect the privacy of data stored on or transmitted via computers or networks such as the Internet. It also ensures integrity and authenticity, ensuring that the information is not modified or tampered with when it is stored or transmitted.
Encrypting data is the process of changing the original data into an format that can only be read by the recipient with a password or key. In the majority of instances, the recipient will translate the encrypted data back into its original form. Modern encryption techniques employ algorithms to encrypt the original data into the ciphertext. This is done using different techniques and algorithms, including transposition and substitution techniques. The Caesar cipher is named after the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar, is an early instance of a substitution cipher that uses a system whereby each letter is replaced by one of a predetermined number of positions down the alphabet (e.g., «E» becomes «Y»).
It is possible to require encryption to ensure compliance with regulations set by various institutions or standard bodies including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and other consumer protection laws. It is also a crucial security measure to guard sensitive information about clients, companies or patient information from cyberattacks. Retailers need bigtechinfo.com/what-is-an-online-data-room to, for instance, ensure the security of credit card information as well as shipping details when they transfer these data between networks or systems. The encryption process can protect data on computers, USB devices and other hardware from physical or virtual theft by hackers.