What does the term 'data integration' signify?

The term 'data integration' signifies the process of combining data from different sources to provide a unified view for analysis and decision-making. This process is crucial in data management as organizations often have data distributed across various systems and formats. By integrating this data, it becomes possible to generate meaningful insights that can drive business outcomes. Data integration can involve various techniques, including data cleansing, transformation, and consolidation, ensuring that the data used is accurate, consistent, and accessible.

In contrast, creating databases for data storage pertains more to the architecture and infrastructure aspect of data management rather than the practical merging of data. Visualizing data for analysis involves representing that combined data visually, which is a subsequent step after integration, and ensuring data is encrypted addresses security concerns rather than the process of merging different data sets. Thus, the correct answer encapsulates the essence of data integration effectively.