What does cryptography primarily focus on?

Cryptography primarily focuses on the methods of encrypting and decrypting communications to ensure the confidentiality and security of data. In this context, encryption transforms plaintext into an unreadable format using algorithms and keys, making it accessible only to those with the correct decryption key. This process is critical in protecting sensitive information during transmission over networks and in storage.

While cryptography can support aspects related to data integrity, user authentication, and secure data management, its core principle lies in safeguarding messages through encryption and making those messages intelligible again via decryption. This foundational aspect underpins various security protocols and practices in both information technology and industrial systems.