Which feature of stream ciphers typically allows for faster processing of data?

Stream ciphers are designed to encrypt data one bit or byte at a time, which allows for efficient and rapid processing of data. This bit-by-bit encryption enables the cipher to continuously work on the data as it is being transmitted or processed, rather than waiting for a complete block of data to be available. This characteristic facilitates faster encryption and decryption compared to block ciphers that operate on fixed-size blocks of data.

In scenarios where real-time data processing is essential—such as in telecommunications or streaming media—stream ciphers provide a significant advantage by minimizing latency and enabling smooth data flow. This continuous processing capability is a key reason stream ciphers are favored in contexts that require speed and efficiency.