Encryption
nouncandidate·updated May 9, 2026
The process of changing plaintext into ciphertext for the purpose of security or privacy.
Framework senses
- §1
- Cryptographic transformation of data (called "plaintext") into a form (called "cipher text") that conceals the data's original meaning to prevent it from being known or used.
National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS) Cybersecurity Lexicon1 senseview framework →
- §1 · extended_definition_available
- The process of transforming plaintext into ciphertext.
- §1
- The process of taking an unencrypted message (plaintext), applying a mathematical function to it (encryption algorithm with a key) and producing an encrypted message (ciphertext)
- §1
- The process of rendering plaintext unintelligible by converting it to ciphertext that can be read only by those with the knowledge to decode the plaintext from the ciphertext. (SAA: Glossary of Archival and Records Terminology).
- §1
- The process of rendering plaintext unintelligible by converting it to ciphertext that can be read only by those with the knowledge to decode the plaintext from the ciphertext. (SAA: Glossary of Archival and Records Terminology).
Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) IT Examination Handbook Infobase, Glossary1 senseview framework →
- §1
- A data security technique used to protect information from unauthorized inspection or alteration. Information is encoded so that data appears as a meaningless string of letters and symbols during delivery or transmission. Upon receipt, the information is decoded using an encryption key.
- §1
- Conversion of plaintext to ciphertext through the use of a cryptographic algorithm.
- §2 · sense_2_pending_review
- The process of changing plaintext into ciphertext for the purpose of security or privacy.
- §1
- The process of changing plaintext into ciphertext for the purpose of security or privacy.
- §1
- The process of changing plaintext into ciphertext for the purpose of security or privacy.
- §1
- Conversion of plaintext to ciphertext through the use of a cryptographic algorithm.