Which of the following statements is true regarding hash encryption?

Hash encryption, commonly referred to as hashing, is a process that takes input data of any size and produces a fixed-length output, known as a hash value or hash code. This property is crucial because it ensures that regardless of the size or length of the input data – whether it is a single character or an entire book – the resulting hash will always be of a predetermined length, depending on the specific hashing algorithm used.

For instance, the SHA-256 hashing algorithm always produces a 256-bit output, no matter how large or small the input data is. This fixed size is integral to various applications, including data integrity verification and digital signatures, as it allows systems to consistently manage and compare hash values.

The other choices present incorrect characteristics of hash functions. Hashing does not limit operations to numeric data; in fact, it can work with any type of data, including text and files. Additionally, hashing does not involve keys in the same manner that symmetric and asymmetric encryption do. Instead, hashing is a one-way process that generates an output that cannot be reverted to the original input, reinforcing its purpose for verifying data rather than encrypting it.