Encryption
In one sentence
Scrambling data so only someone with the key can read it, which protects it if a device or file is stolen.
Encryption converts data into unreadable form unless you hold the key. 'At rest' protects stored data (like a laptop's disk); 'in transit' protects data moving across networks (like HTTPS). Full-disk encryption on laptops is a common baseline expectation.
Why it's on your cyber insurance application
Applications ask whether laptops and sensitive data are encrypted.
What this looks like in practice
On Windows this is BitLocker, on a Mac it's FileVault, and on both it's a setting you turn on once per machine. Check it is actually on rather than assuming, because it ships off on plenty of hardware. The reason it's worth the ten minutes: an encrypted laptop left in a taxi is an inconvenience, and an unencrypted one may be a reportable breach.
The written evidence carriers accept
A “yes” on the application needs a document behind it. In the Readiness Pack, those documents are:
Related terms
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