Data Encryption

Data encryption is a security method where information is encoded and can only be accessed or decrypted by a user with the correct encryption key.

Data encryption translates data into another form, or code, so that only people with access to a secret key (formally called a decryption key) or password can read it. Encrypted data is commonly referred to as ciphertext, while unencrypted data is called plaintext. Currently, encryption is one of the most popular and effective data security methods used by organizations. Two main types of data encryption exist - asymmetric encryption, also known as public-key encryption, and symmetric encryption.

The purpose of data encryption is to protect digital data confidentiality as it is stored on computer systems and transmitted using the internet or other computer networks.

At the Digital Competence Centre of the University of Groningen (UG DCC), we support VeraCrypt as an encryption tool for researchers to protect their data.