Data encryption is the process of converting plain text data into a coded form known as ciphertext, to prevent unauthorized access. It is a crucial aspect of cybersecurity to protect sensitive information such as personal data, financial information, and intellectual property. Encryption algorithms use mathematical formulas to scramble the data, making it unreadable to anyone without the decryption key. This ensures that even if the data is intercepted, it cannot be understood or used by malicious actors. Encryption is used in various applications such as secure communication, online transactions, and data storage to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of information.