Encryption

The process of converting data into a coded format that is unreadable to anyone who doesn't have the decryption key. When data is encrypted, even if someone intercepts it or steals it, they can't make sense of it without the proper key (typically a password or cryptographic key).

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Encryption protects data in two main states: in transit (being sent over a network) and at rest (stored on a device or disk). For example, HTTPS encrypts data between your browser and a website so that others on the network can't snoop on your login credentials or personal info. Similarly, full-disk encryption on a laptop (like BitLocker for Windows or FileVault for Mac) scrambles all the data on the drive so if the laptop is lost or stolen, the data isn't accessible without the user's login.

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For SMBs, leveraging encryption is a must-do because it's often easy: turn on encryption for devices (most modern OSes support it natively), use encrypted services (VPNs for network, HTTPS for websites, secure email or messaging apps that use end-to-end encryption), and encrypt sensitive files before uploading them to cloud storage if the cloud doesn't do it for you.

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One important thing about encryption: you must manage the keys or passwords carefully - if you lose them, the data is effectively lost (which is the point; not even the owner can recover unencrypted data without the key).

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Encryption provides peace of mind and often is required for compliance (for instance, many laws don't consider it a breach if a lost device was encrypted).

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In summary, encryption is like putting your data in a locked box that only you have the key to. It may sound high-tech, but in practice it's behind the scenes in many tools you already use. Ensuring those locks are in place is a fundamental part of a strong security posture.