Application-Level Encryption: The process of encrypting sensitive data within the application layer to protect its confidentiality and integrity. This type of encryption ensures that only authorized users or systems can access the data by securing it at the point of creation and continuing through storage or transmission. Examples include encrypting passwords before storing them in a database, securing credit card information during transaction processing, or encrypting files before sending them over the Internet. While this process strengthens data protection, it primarily addresses confidentiality and integrity, not availability, which relates more to system reliability and access control mechanisms.