iSACA Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certification Practice Exam

What is the main goal of encryption?

1. To ensure data operates faster

2. To convert readable data into unreadable characters

3. To allow data transmission over longer distances

4. To facilitate sharing of data between users

The correct answer is: To convert readable data into unreadable characters

The primary goal of encryption is to convert readable data into unreadable characters, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access or understand the original information. This process secures sensitive data by transforming it into a format that appears random and nonsensical to anyone who does not possess the proper decryption key. Encryption is vital for protecting confidentiality in various scenarios, including storing personal data, transferring information over networks, and safeguarding communications against unauthorized access. While other options touch on aspects related to data transmission and sharing, they do not define the core purpose of encryption. For instance, ensuring data operates faster is not a focus of encryption; in fact, encryption can often introduce some overhead, potentially leading to slower data processing. Similarly, allowing data transmission over longer distances is a logistical concern that does not pertain specifically to the act of making data unreadable. Facilitating sharing of data between users may relate to access controls and permissions rather than the encryption process itself, as encryption focuses more on securing the data from unauthorized access rather than enabling sharing. Thus, the essence of encryption lies in its ability to obfuscate data to protect it from unauthorized viewers.