What is the fundamental purpose of cryptography?

The fundamental purpose of cryptography is to conceal information by converting it into an unreadable format. This process, known as encryption, ensures that sensitive data remains confidential and is only accessible to those who possess the appropriate keys or credentials to decrypt it. By transforming readable information into a code, cryptography protects data from unauthorized access and eavesdropping, making it a crucial component in securing communications and safeguarding personal and sensitive information in various applications.

The other choices focus on aspects that do not relate directly to the purpose of cryptography. For example, enhancing data speed during transfer, compressing data for storage, and improving network connectivity involve performance and efficiency improvements rather than protecting the integrity and confidentiality of information. Therefore, these options do not encapsulate the primary function of cryptography in the realm of data security.