What security measure helps protect sensitive data from unauthorized access?

Encryption serves as a fundamental security measure designed specifically to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access. It involves the use of algorithms to transform plaintext into ciphertext, making it unreadable to anyone who does not possess the correct decryption key. This means that even if data is intercepted during transmission or accessed unlawfully, it remains secure, rendering it useless to the unauthorized user.

The implementation of encryption is particularly significant in safeguarding sensitive information such as personal identification numbers, financial data, and proprietary business information, ensuring that only authorized users can access and interpret the data. This security practice can be utilized across various environments, such as data at rest (stored data), data in transit (data being transmitted), and data in use (data being processed). By encrypting this information, organizations can maintain confidentiality and protect against data breaches and other cyber threats.