What process is used to convert sensitive data into an unrecognizable form?

The process of converting sensitive data into an unrecognizable form is known as encryption. This technique ensures that the original data is transformed through algorithms into a format that cannot be easily read or understood without the proper decryption key. Encryption serves as a critical security measure, protecting sensitive information such as personal data, financial records, and confidential communications from unauthorized access.

In practice, encryption allows organizations to maintain privacy and confidentiality, especially when transmitting data over networks or storing it in databases. Only those who possess the appropriate decryption key or credentials can revert the data to its original form, thereby safeguarding against data breaches and unauthorized disclosures.

Authentication and authorization relate to verifying user identities and determining access permissions rather than altering data itself. Normalization, on the other hand, refers to the process of organizing data within a database to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity, which does not involve making data unrecognizable.