How is encryption best described within an overall cybersecurity program?

Encryption plays a crucial role in an overall cybersecurity program as an essential but incomplete form of access control. While encryption effectively protects data by making it unreadable to unauthorized users, it does not serve as a standalone solution for securing information. Access control methods must include identity verification, authentication, and authorization to ensure that only duly authorized individuals can access sensitive data.

For instance, if encryption is used to protect data stored on a server, without proper access controls in place, an unauthorized user who gains access to that server may still potentially compromise sensitive information before it is encrypted or even exploit other vulnerabilities. Therefore, while encryption significantly enhances data security, it must be part of a multi-layered security strategy that includes various controls and protocols to address different aspects of cybersecurity. This layered approach ensures comprehensive protection against a variety of threats.