What is the main function of encryption?

The primary purpose of encryption is to encode messages and data in a way that is unreadable to anyone who does not possess the decryption key, thereby maintaining confidentiality. This process transforms readable information into a secure format, which ensures that even if the data is intercepted or accessed by unauthorized individuals, it remains protected and cannot be understood without the appropriate authorization.

Maintaining confidentiality is crucial in many scenarios, such as when transmitting sensitive information over networks or storing data that must not be exposed to unauthorized parties. Encryption helps safeguard personal data, financial transactions, and proprietary information by ensuring that only individuals with the correct decryption credentials can access the original content.

While creating backups of information, analyzing risk factors, and performing vulnerability assessments are important elements of information security, these activities do not inherently provide the same level of confidentiality and protection for data as encryption does.