Which of the following describes the difference between encryption and hashing?

Encryption transforms readable data (plaintext) into an unreadable format (ciphertext) using an algorithm and a key, which can then be reversed with the correct key. Hashing, on the other hand, is a one-way function that takes an input (data) and produces a fixed-size string of characters (a hash value or checksum). This hash value is unique to the input and cannot be reversed to obtain the original data. The other options are incorrect because: Encryption protects data both in transit and at rest, and hashing's primary role isn't solely to protect data at rest (though it can be used for integrity checks on data at rest). Hashing ensures data integrity, not confidentiality. Encryption ensures confidentiality. Encryption can use both public and private keys (asymmetric encryption), or a single shared key (symmetric encryption). Hashing does not use keys in the same way encryption does; it's a mathematical function.