Defined term

Encryption

Encryption: Process of obscuring information by changing plain text into ciphertext for the purpose of security or privacy.

Also known as: Encipher

Alternative names:
EncipherEncodeEncrypt
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Cybersecurity

Definition

Process of obscuring information by changing plain text into ciphertext for the purpose of security or privacy.

Alternative Definitions

Definition 2

Any procedure used in cryptography to convert plaintext into an encrypted message in order to prevent any but the intended recipient from reading that data. (Encryption /

Source: Independent Panel on Internet Voting ReportType: external
Definition 3

The process of encoding messages or information in such a way that only authorized parties (or software applications) can read it. Encryption does not prevent interception, but denies the message content to the interceptor. Encrypted information must be decrypted before it can be rendered into plain text or other usable format. Encryption and decryption add overhead to processing and can slow systems down. Voting systems will commonly encrypt data within a voting system component before transmitting it to another device.

Source: The State and Local Election Cybersecurity PlaybookType: external
Definition 4

The cryptographic transformation of data to produce ciphertext.

Source: Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015Type: standard
Definition 5

A procedure to convert plain text into cipher text.

Source: March 2020 CSC ReportType: external
Definition 6

The process of transforming plaintext into ciphertext.

Source: NICCS GlossaryType: standard
Definition 7

Cryptographic process of transforming data (called “plaintext”) into a form (called “ ciphertext ”) that conceals the data’s original meaning to prevent it from being known or used. Encryption provides confidentiality protection.

Source: NIST Election GlossaryType: standard
Definition 8

Conversion of plaintext to ciphertext through the use of a cryptographic algorithm. (FIPS 185) (NISTIR)

Source: The Cyber GlossaryType: external
Definition 9

The conversion of plaintext, by means of a defined system (e.g., a “cipher”), so that it is unintelligible to an unauthorized recipient.

Source: ODNI Cyber Threats to Elections LexiconType: external
Definition 10

The “process of obscuring information by changing plain text into ciphertext for the purpose of security or privacy. 2005 VVSG GLOSSARY. See also ASYMMETRIC ENCRYPTION, SYMMETRIC ENCRYPTION. Encryption File System A feature of the Windows operating system that allo ws files to be stored in encrypted form for security purposes. Abbreviated EFS.

Source: Electronic Voting GlossaryType: external

Sources

1
Glossary of Election Terms, U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC)
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2
Independent Panel on Internet Voting Report
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3
The State and Local Election Cybersecurity Playbook
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4
Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015
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5
March 2020 CSC Report
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6
EAC Glossary of Terms
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7
EAC IT Glossary for Election Officials
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8
EAC Information Technology Terminology
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9
EAC Glossary of Election Terms
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10
NICCS Glossary
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11
NIST Election Glossary
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12
The Cyber Glossary
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13
ODNI Cyber Threats to Elections Lexicon
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14
Electronic Voting Glossary
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