Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Encryption has 2 different meanings across 1 category:
the activity of converting data or information into code
"The bank implemented strong encryption to convert all customer transaction data into unreadable code during transmission."
The process of obscuring information to make it unreadable without special knowledge, key files, or passwords.
"The company implemented strong encryption on all customer data to ensure that sensitive records remained unreadable without the proper decryption keys."
In plain English: Encryption is changing your information into secret code so only people with the right key can read it.
"The company uses strong encryption to keep customer data safe from hackers."
Usage: Encryption secures data by converting it into an unreadable format that requires specific keys or passwords to access. Use this term when referring to the technical protection of digital information rather than general secrecy measures like hiding physical documents.
The word encryption comes from combining the verb encrypt with the suffix -ion to form a noun. It was first used in English to describe the process of encoding information so that only authorized parties can read it.