Which technology is commonly used for protecting sensitive data?

Data encryption is a critical technology used to protect sensitive data by converting it into a format that is unreadable to unauthorized users. This transformation involves the use of algorithms and keys to encode the data, ensuring that only individuals or systems with the correct decryption key or password can access the original information.

This process is essential for maintaining confidentiality, especially in scenarios where data is transmitted over insecure channels or stored in locations that may be vulnerable to unauthorized access. By implementing strong encryption methods, organizations can safeguard their sensitive information such as personal identification data, financial records, and proprietary business information from cyber threats and data breaches.

In contrast, data compression reduces the size of files for storage or transmission efficiency but does not provide protection for the data itself. Data mining involves analyzing large datasets to discover patterns and insights, which again does not have a focus on security. Data visualization is concerned with representing data graphically to improve understanding, rather than securing data. Thus, while all these technologies play important roles in data management, data encryption clearly stands out as the primary method for protecting sensitive data.