What does encryption accomplish?

Encryption is a process that transforms information into a format that is unreadable without a specific key or algorithm to revert it to its original state. This technique ensures that even if data is intercepted or accessed by unauthorized individuals, they will not be able to understand or utilize the information without access to the decryption key. The purpose of encryption is to protect sensitive data confidentiality, making it a crucial element in cybersecurity practices, especially when transmitting information across unsecured networks.

While the other options mention important elements related to data security and management, they do not accurately describe the primary function of encryption. Storing data securely in cloud services involves various security measures beyond just encryption, compression is more about reducing file size for efficiency, and authentication pertains to verifying user identities to grant access rather than altering data formats. Thus, the essence of encryption lies in its ability to render information unintelligible without the correct access credentials.