Certified Protection Professional (CPP) Practice Exam

What does scrambling refer to in terms of information security?

1. A method of encoding data for encryption

2. A process of making information unintelligible

3. A technique to destroy data

4. A form of noise interference

The correct answer is: A process of making information unintelligible

Scrambling in information security specifically refers to a process of making information unintelligible. This technique is employed to protect sensitive data by altering its original form so that it cannot be easily understood by unauthorized individuals. When data is scrambled, its original meaning is obscured, preventing unintended recipients from interpreting or using the information correctly. This is particularly important in contexts where data needs to be transmitted securely or stored without being vulnerable to unauthorized access. While encryption is also a method to protect data, scrambling specifically emphasizes making the information hard to comprehend rather than just encoding it. Techniques like shredding or purging data refer to data destruction, which is distinct from scrambling, while noise interference does not directly relate to the process of making information unintelligible. Therefore, the focus on creating unintelligibility aligns accurately with the notion of scrambling in the context of information security.