FAQ - Encryption

What is a encryption?
Encryption, in simple terms, is the process of transforming information to make it unreadable to anyone who does not have some special knowledge, usually a pass-phrase, to make the encrypted information readable again. Information stored on the disks of desktops and laptops and stored on USB sticks and other portable media can be encrypted to protect it in the event of the device being lost or stolen. Because of their portability and widespread use, two of the biggest risks to Information Security come from unencrypted laptops and USB sticks.

What does encryption do?
Encryption secures data to protect it from others from seeing it. When it reaches its destination they have a program that will then return the data to the original form.

For information on encryption tools used at Ball State visit our encryption page.