Cryptography is the art and science of securing sensitive information by converting it into an unreadable format, which can only be deciphered by authorized parties possessing the necessary decryption key. It plays a pivotal role in information security, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of data in various applications, including online communications, financial transactions, and data storage. Cryptographic techniques employ algorithms to transform plaintext into ciphertext, making it indecipherable to unauthorized individuals or hackers. Modern cryptography encompasses symmetric and asymmetric encryption methods, digital signatures, and cryptographic hashing, contributing to the foundation of secure digital communication and the protection of sensitive data in an increasingly interconnected and vulnerable digital world.
