In the context of NCIC, what does encryption refer to?

In the context of NCIC, encryption refers to concealing data to protect it from unauthorized access. This process transforms information into a coded format, making it unreadable to anyone who does not have the correct decryption key or method to access it. By encrypting data, sensitive information that may include personal details, criminal records, and other protected data is safeguarded from unauthorized individuals or cyber threats. This is crucial for maintaining confidentiality and integrity within the criminal justice system, as it helps prevent misuse or theft of critical information.

The other choices do not adequately represent the concept of encryption. The physical locking of database servers refers to physical security measures rather than data protection techniques. Installing antivirus software addresses threats from malicious software rather than the encryption of data itself. Backing up data on external drives focuses on data redundancy and recovery rather than securing that data from unauthorized access.