What is Encryption?
Encryption is the process of converting readable data into scrambled ciphertext using a key, so that only someone with the correct key can turn it back into its original form. It protects data both in transit, such as over HTTPS, and at rest, such as in databases and backups.
Why it matters for your business
Encryption protects customer and business data if a laptop is lost or a system is breached, and many regulations and standards, such as PCI DSS for card payments, expect it.
A healthcare scheduling app encrypts patient records in its database and uses TLS for every connection, so intercepted traffic or a copied backup file is unreadable.