What differentiates plain text from cipher text?

Plain text is defined as information that is in a readable format and has not been encrypted, meaning it can be easily understood by anyone who has access to it. This is a crucial distinction because it sets the foundation for understanding data security and the purpose of encryption. When data is in plain text, it is exposed to unauthorized access and therefore vulnerable to interception.

In contrast, cipher text refers to the output of encryption processes, where plain text is transformed into an unreadable format using an algorithm and a key. This transformation protects the information from unauthorized access. Thus, the defining characteristic of plain text being unencrypted is what distinguishes it from cipher text, which is indeed the result of an encryption process that makes the information unreadable without the appropriate decryption method.

Recognizing that plain text is unencrypted helps in understanding how data security measures protect sensitive information during transmission and storage, ensuring that only authorized users can access the information by decrypting it back to its original form.