SQA National 5 Computing Science Practice Exam

Encryption plays a crucial role in data communications by transforming data into a coded format, thereby protecting its confidentiality. This process ensures that even if the data is intercepted during transmission, it cannot be easily understood or accessed by unauthorized parties. Only those who possess the correct decryption key can revert the data back to its original, readable form. This is especially important in scenarios where sensitive information, such as personal details, financial records, or protected communications, is transmitted over networks.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the primary purpose of encryption. For instance, while proper formatting or data management may facilitate efficient storage, it is not the focus of encryption. Similarly, encryption does not inherently increase data speed or improve readability; rather, it intentionally obscures the data to deter unauthorized access. Thus, the main achievement of encryption in data communications is its ability to secure confidentiality.