Which encryption method is considered faster for large datasets?

Symmetric encryption is considered faster for large datasets because it utilizes a single key for both encryption and decryption processes. This method allows for a higher throughput, meaning it can process large amounts of data more quickly than asymmetric encryption, which relies on a pair of keys (public and private) and involves more complex mathematical computations that slow down performance.

Symmetric encryption algorithms, such as AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), are designed for speed and efficiency, particularly when handling substantial volumes of data. In contrast, asymmetric encryption, while providing strong security benefits, is generally slower due to its computationally intensive operations, making it less suitable for encrypting large datasets. Hashing serves a different purpose, primarily for data integrity verification rather than encryption, thus also not being applicable in the context of speed for large datasets. Therefore, symmetric encryption is the most appropriate choice for this scenario.