What is the purpose of encryption on data?

The purpose of encryption on data is fundamentally to protect it from unauthorized access. When data is encrypted, it is transformed into a coded format that only authorized users can decode with a specific key or password. This ensures that even if the data is intercepted or accessed by malicious actors, it remains unreadable and secure. Encryption serves as a crucial layer of security, especially for sensitive information such as personal details, financial data, or confidential business information.

In contrast, making data easily accessible would contradict the idea of encryption, as the goal is to limit access to those with the necessary permissions. Improving processing speed is not a function of encryption; in fact, encryption can sometimes introduce overhead that may slow down data access. Finally, while encryption can enhance security and complement password usage, it does not eliminate the need for passwords entirely, as authentication mechanisms are still necessary to verify user identity before granting access to the encrypted data.