Which of the following best describes the purpose of encryption in data security?

The purpose of encryption in data security is to protect data by converting it into a coded format that is unreadable without a decryption key. This process ensures that even if data is intercepted or accessed by unauthorized individuals, they cannot understand or make use of it without the proper key to decode it. Encryption adds a layer of security that is essential for protecting sensitive information, whether it is being stored or transmitted over networks. This capability is crucial for maintaining confidentiality and privacy, especially in environments dealing with personal, financial, or confidential organizational data.

The other options do not directly relate to the core purpose of encryption. While leveraging cloud storage can enhance data management, it does not involve encryption as a fundamental feature. Similarly, ensuring data integrity through physical segregation of storage pertains more to preventing unauthorized access and maintaining data consistency rather than protecting data confidentiality. Lastly, data compression is a technique used to reduce file sizes for efficient transmission but does not carry the security features that encryption provides.