Which security measure is effective in preventing unauthorized data access?

Encryption is a powerful security measure that protects data by converting it into a format that is unreadable to anyone who does not have the appropriate decryption key. This means even if unauthorized individuals gain access to the data, they will not be able to interpret or use it without the key. This is particularly important for sensitive information, such as personal identification details, financial records, or proprietary company data.

By employing encryption, organizations can establish a strong barrier against unauthorized access, ensuring that even in the event of a data breach, the information remains secure. Encryption not only protects data at rest (stored data) but can also safeguard data in transit (data being transmitted over networks), making it a comprehensive security measure against unauthorized access in a variety of scenarios.