[Misty Stewart]

Cryptography is essential for safeguarding information, relying on mathematical processes to transform data so that it cannot be understood by unauthorized individuals. Its main goal is to preserve the accuracy, privacy, and legitimacy of information as it is transmitted over networks or stored in databases. Techniques such as encryption restrict access to data to only those who are permitted, while hashing generates a distinct code for each file or message, making it possible to spot any alterations. Digital signatures add another layer of security by confirming the sender’s identity and ensuring the information remains unchanged.