What is a key feature of secure communications equipment?

The key feature of secure communications equipment is that it encrypts the transmitted data. Encryption is a critical process in secure communications that transforms information into a coded format, making it unreadable to anyone who does not have the appropriate decryption key. This ensures that sensitive information is protected from unauthorized access or interception during transmission, maintaining confidentiality and integrity.

In the context of communications security, encryption helps safeguard both voice and data transmissions, thereby preserving the privacy of communication and protecting against eavesdropping or tampering. This capability is essential in military operations and other scenarios requiring classified communication. The reliance on encrypted transmissions is what fundamentally distinguishes secure communications from standard communications systems.