In the context of data security, what does the term encryption typically involve?

Encryption involves converting information into a coded format that can only be read or processed by someone who possesses the correct decryption key or password. This process is vital for protecting sensitive data, ensuring that even if the data is intercepted or accessed without authorization, it remains unintelligible and secure. By transforming readable information into a format that obfuscates its original meaning, encryption helps to safeguard personal, financial, and health-related information from unauthorized access, thereby upholding data privacy and security.

In contrast, storing data in plain text does not provide any security measures and leaves information vulnerable to unauthorized access. Creating backup copies is essential for data preservation but does not inherently secure the data against breaches. Transferring files between devices, while it may require security protocols, does not specifically relate to the act of encrypting data, which is focused on the encoding of the information itself.