In terms of data security, what is encryption most useful for?

Encryption is most useful for converting data to a secure format that protects it from unauthorized access. This is achieved by transforming readable data (plaintext) into an unreadable format (ciphertext) using algorithms and keys. The primary purpose of encryption is to ensure that only authorized parties can decipher and access the original data, thus maintaining confidentiality and data integrity.

Effective encryption is crucial in various contexts, such as securing sensitive information transmitted over networks, protecting data at rest on storage devices, and ensuring privacy in cloud computing environments. In contrast, while improving data accessibility, creating backups, and destructing unwanted data are important aspects of data management and security, they do not directly relate to the role of encryption in protecting data from unauthorized access.