Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Computer Science) The encryption of data for security purposes: "Data encryption" refers to the process of converting plain, readable information (data) into an encoded, unreadable format. This is done to protect the data's confidentiality and integrity, especially during storage or transmission over networks. Only authorized parties with the correct decryption key can convert the encrypted data back to its original, usable form.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Modern messaging apps use end-to-end data encryption to protect your private conversations.
  • The company implemented strong data encryption for all customer records stored in its database.
  • Without proper data encryption, sensitive financial information sent online is vulnerable to theft.

Advanced Usage

• "At-rest data encryption": The encryption of data while it is stored on a device or server.

  • The new policy requires at-rest data encryption for all files on company laptops.

• "In-transit data encryption": The encryption of data while it is being transmitted from one location to another.

  • The website uses SSL/TLS for in-transit data encryption to secure your login details.

Variants and Related Words

• Encrypt (verb): To convert data into a coded form.

  • You should encrypt the file before emailing it.

• Decryption (noun): The process of converting encrypted data back into its original form.

  • The decryption of the message required a special key.

• Encryption key (noun): A piece of information (a string of bits) used by an encryption algorithm to scramble and unscramble data.

  • The security of the system depends on keeping the encryption key secret.

Synonyms

• Ciphering: The process of converting data into a cipher or code.
• Encoding (in a cryptographic context): Converting data into a particular form for security purposes.

Related Phrases

• "To apply data encryption": To use encryption on data.

  • It is standard practice to apply data encryption to all backups.

• "Data encryption standard (DES)": A specific, now largely obsolete, symmetric-key algorithm for data encryption.

  • The Data Encryption Standard (DES) was once widely used but has been replaced by more secure algorithms.

Noun

1. (computer science) the encryption of data for security purposes