What is the purpose of encryption in data storage?

Encryption serves the primary purpose of converting data into a coded format that is unreadable to unauthorized users. This transformation ensures that even if someone manages to gain access to the physical storage medium or the data itself, they cannot interpret the information without the proper decryption key. The use of encryption is crucial for maintaining data security and privacy, particularly for sensitive information, as it protects against potential breaches and unauthorized access.

While other functions, such as increasing access speed, maintaining backups, or facilitating remote storage, are important in data management and storage, they do not align directly with the primary function of encryption. Encryption focuses specifically on safeguarding the confidentiality and integrity of data by ensuring that only authorized parties can decode and access the original information.