Which term describes the process of converting messages to a secure format?

The term that describes the process of converting messages to a secure format is "encrypting." This process involves transforming readable data, or plaintext, into a coded version, known as ciphertext, that can only be read or understood by someone who possesses the appropriate decryption key or method.

Encryption plays a critical role in maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of information during transmission over various communication channels. By securely encoding the data, it protects sensitive information from unauthorized access, ensuring that only intended recipients can decipher the message.

In contrast, encoding generally refers to representing data in a specific format for efficient transmission or storage, but does not necessarily imply security. Decoding is the reverse process of converting encoded or encrypted data back into its original format. Decrypting is specifically the process of converting encrypted data back into a readable format, which is the opposite of encrypting.