Before start of encryption there’s scrambled codes, I see (7)
I believe the answer is:
diocese
'see' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
(Other definitions for diocese that I've seen before include "Area under bishop" , "Ecclesiastical see" , "Bishop's responsibility" , "Bishop's area" , "Jurisdiction of a bishop" .)