What is the core difference between 'encryption' and 'hashing' in the context of cybersecurity for critical infrastructure?

The core difference is that encryption is a two-way function used to protect the confidentiality of data, while hashing is a one-way function used to ensure data integrity. Encryption transforms data into an unreadable format (ciphertext) using an algorithm and a key, and it can be reversed back to the original data (plaintext) using the corresponding key. Hashing, on the other hand, transforms data into a fixed-size string of characters (hash value) using a mathematical function, and it cannot be reversed to obtain the original data. Encryption protects data from unauthorized access, while hashing verifies that data has not been altered or corrupted. For example, encryption is used to protect sensitive communications, while hashing is used to store passwords securely by comparing the hash of the entered password with the stored hash value.