Define “cryptography” in the context of military communication.

In the context of military communication, cryptography refers specifically to the practice of encoding information to protect it from unauthorized access. This involves creating secure methods to transform readable information (plaintext) into an unreadable format (ciphertext), ensuring that only authorized individuals with the correct keys or methods can decrypt and access the original data. This is crucial in military operations where the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information are paramount, as it prevents adversaries from intercepting and understanding critical communications.

The other options do not accurately define cryptography within this context. Sending audio messages, using verbal orders, or decoding enemy messages involves different aspects of communication and intelligence that do not primarily focus on the protective aspect of encoding information to maintain security against unauthorized access.