Encryption vs Hashing: Understanding Their Roles in Cybersecurity

Encryption and hashing are essential tools for protecting data in the digital world.They serve different purposes but work well together. Encryption keeps informationprivate by turning it into unreadable text that only someone with the right key can unlock.Hashing checks that data hasn’t been changed by creating a unique code from the originalinput. This paper explains how each method works, where they are used, and how theyfollow guidelines from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).Knowing how and when to use both is important for anyone working with sensitivedigital information.