Cybersecurity glossary
What is encryption?
Definition
Encryption transforms readable data into ciphertext that can only be turned back into readable form with the correct key.
Why it matters
Encryption in transit (such as HTTPS) protects data moving across networks; encryption at rest (such as full-disk encryption on a phone or laptop) protects stored data if a device is lost. Encryption protects confidentiality only as well as the keys and passwords guarding it.
Common questions about encryption
- What should I do if my phone is lost or stolen?
- What does end-to-end encryption mean for my messages?
- How do I secure my home Wi-Fi router?
- Is a free SSL/TLS certificate good enough for a business website?
- How do I answer a customer security questionnaire?
- What is the difference between AI security and cloud security?
- What is the difference between an antivirus and a firewall?
See also
Sources
Related Guides
GuideSmall Business Security
Small Business Cybersecurity Checklist: The Core Controls
A practical small business cybersecurity checklist covering access controls, patching, backups, encryption, and network defense to secure your business.
Read more GuideIncident Response
Triage and Containment of SSH Brute Force Attacks from Linux Logs
Practical techniques for parsing /var/log/auth.log, aggregating attacking subnets, and verifying whether key-only policies prevented breach.
Read more GuideGRC
NIST AI RMF: Implementation Guide for Small Teams
Learn how small teams can implement the NIST AI RMF to assess risk, govern deployments, and deploy artificial intelligence safely without enterprise overhead.
Read more GuideAI Security
AI Agent Security: Implementing Least Privilege for Tools
Learn how to enforce least privilege for AI agent security. Control tool calling, scope data access, and prevent unauthorized actions in production.
Read more