What does hashing accomplish in data security?

Hashing is a process that converts plaintext into a fixed-size string of characters, which is typically a representation of the original data but is non-identifiable. This means that even if someone were to gain access to the hashed data, they would not be able to reverse the process to retrieve the original plaintext. The result of hashing is often referred to as a hash value or hash code, and it can be used to verify the integrity of data by comparing hash values.

This transformation serves several purposes in data security. It ensures that sensitive data like passwords are stored securely, making it difficult for attackers to retrieve the original passwords, even if they access the database containing the hashed values. Additionally, hashing is used in data integrity checks, allowing one to verify that the data has not been altered.

While the other choices touch on different aspects of data protection, they do not accurately describe the specific function of hashing. Hashing is distinct from encryption, which involves the use of keys and allows for the recovery of the original data. Thus, the focus of hashing is on creating a non-identifiable hash that cannot easily be reverted back to its original form, which is why it is a vital process in ensuring data security.