What is Ciphertext?
Ciphertext Definition: The altered form of a plaintext message, so as to be unreadable for anyone except the intended recipients. Something that has been turned into a secret.
Understanding Ciphertext
The altered form of a plaintext message, so as to be unreadable for anyone except the intended recipients. Something that has been turned into a secret. Ciphertext is the encrypted output resulting from applying a cryptographic algorithm and key to plaintext data. It appears as seemingly random data that cannot be understood without the corresponding decryption key. Producing strong ciphertext is the goal of encryption systems described in standards like FIPS 140-2 and AES. Organizations protect ciphertext through secure transmission channels, access controls, and key management practices. For example, when sensitive data is stored in a cloud database, it might be transformed into ciphertext using AES-256 encryption, ensuring that even if unauthorized access occurs, the data remains protected without the decryption key. Related terms: Plaintext, Encryption, Cryptography, Decryption, Cipher, Cryptanalysis.