What component does encryption help protect in an organization?

Encryption primarily protects data integrity within an organization. When data is encrypted, it transforms readable information into an unreadable format to ensure that only authorized individuals with the decryption key can access and read the original data. This process helps maintain the integrity of information by preventing unauthorized access, tampering, or interception during transmission. If data is altered or manipulated by a malicious actor, encryption would prevent the unauthorized party from being able to make sense of or misuse that data.

The importance of data integrity is particularly notable in today’s digital landscape, where information breaches can lead to significant operational, financial, and reputational damage. By ensuring the protection of data integrity through encryption, organizations can maintain trust and compliance with regulations that govern data security and privacy.

In contrast, while human resources, physical assets, and marketing strategies might benefit indirectly from encryption—since they often rely on data—these options do not directly encapsulate the core purpose of encryption technology, which is ensuring that data remains intact and unaltered.