What is the process of encoding information so that only authorized users can decode it called?

The process of encoding information so that only authorized users can decode it is called encryption. This technique is fundamental in information security, as it transforms readable data, known as plaintext, into an unreadable format, called ciphertext. The purpose of encryption is to protect sensitive information by ensuring that only those who possess the correct decryption key can convert the ciphertext back into plaintext and access the original data.

Encryption employs various algorithms and keys, thereby providing confidentiality and integrity of data during transmission or storage. It is widely used in various applications, including secure communications, online banking, and data protection in cloud storage services, ensuring that even if the data is intercepted or accessed by unauthorized parties, they cannot understand or use it without the encryption key.

The other concepts like data compression, decryption, and data encoding serve different purposes. Data compression reduces the size of information to save space or improve transmission speed. Decryption is the reverse process of encryption, where the encoded data is converted back to its original form. Data encoding transforms data into a specific format but does not inherently provide security like encryption does.