What term describes the process of converting readable data into unreadable characters to prevent unauthorized access?

• A. Encryption
• B. Hash
• C. Integrity
• D. Guidelines

Answer: (A)

Encryption is the process of converting readable data into unreadable characters so that unauthorized parties cannot understand it. By transforming plaintext into ciphertext with a key, it protects confidentiality during storage or transmission, and the original data can be recovered only by someone with the correct decryption key. A hash, in contrast, is a one-way function used to verify integrity and cannot be reversed to reveal the original data. Integrity refers to checking that data hasn’t been altered, not concealing its contents, and guidelines are simply rules or policies. So encryption best fits the idea of making data unreadable to protect it from access.