Encryption software uses cryptography to protect the confidentiality and integrity of data. Companies use encryption software to ensure that only intended parties can access the data and to reduce their liability if the data is inadvertently exposed or hacked. Encryption software protects data by converting normal data into scrambled, unintelligible data that is rendered virtually unusable to others. Companies can apply encryption to communications, databases, and virtually any other kind of file or storage system. Encryption can be applied to data at rest, data in transit, and data in use. The best encryption software can be particularly useful for securing regulated data such as personally identifiable information (PII), protected health information (PHI), and payment card industry (PCI) data.
Using sensitive data discovery software, administrators can identify their most sensitive datasets on which to apply encryption.
To qualify for inclusion in the Encryption category, a product must:
Secure data and files using ciphertext
Prepare either data at rest, data in transit, or data in use for encryption
Allow users to choose and manage files and their encryption settings