Which of the following is an example of a network security practice?

Encrypting sensitive data is a fundamental network security practice aimed at protecting information from unauthorized access or tampering. This process involves transforming readable data into an encoded format that can only be read or deciphered by someone who has the appropriate decryption key. By doing so, even if data is intercepted through various vulnerabilities, it remains unreadable to unauthorized users, significantly enhancing data confidentiality and integrity.

In contrast, implementing data redundancy primarily addresses availability and reliability rather than direct security concerns. While data redundancy ensures that copies of data are available in case of system failures or data loss, it does not inherently protect against unauthorized access.

Improving graphics performance focuses on enhancing visual display capabilities and does not relate to security at all. Similarly, regularly updating hardware components is more about system performance and longevity rather than securing the network from threats. While maintaining updated hardware may contribute to overall system reliability and can indirectly support security efforts, it is not a direct security measure like encryption.