Mysql Keyring encryption is useful to encrypt the physical files.
If the data directory is moved to another server and the database is started, all tables will be accessible. However, if the keyring encryption is configured, even if the data directory files are taken, the tables will not be accessible, since the tables can only be accessed through the keyring file. If the keyring file isn't available when the database is started, the tables will be inaccessible.
MySQL generates a .idb file in the data directory for each table. If we utilize the string function of this file, the content will be visible; however, if the keyring encryption is used, the .idb file will be encrypted, thus preventing us from viewing the content.
If I were to do it again, I would attempt to put the keyring file on a separate server.
