Cryptography is the practice and study of techniques for securing communication and information by transforming it into a format that is unreadable to unauthorized users. It involves the use of mathematical algorithms and protocols to encrypt and decrypt data, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity. Cryptography underpins many security measures in digital communication, such as secure online transactions and data protection. It plays a crucial role in safeguarding sensitive information in various fields, including finance, healthcare, and national security.