Which of the following processes is essential to protect sensitive data when using portable devices?

Encryption is essential for protecting sensitive data on portable devices because it converts the data into a format that cannot be easily read or accessed without a specific key or password. This means that even if the device is lost or stolen, unauthorized users will not be able to interpret the encrypted data, thereby keeping sensitive information secure.

In the context of portable devices, which are often more susceptible to theft or loss, having encrypted data adds a crucial layer of security that safeguards personal and sensitive information, such as financial details or personal identification. Encryption is particularly important because it helps maintain confidentiality and integrity when data travels across potentially unsafe networks, further emphasizing its necessity in securing data on portable devices.

Other measures, while important, do not provide the same level of protection directly related to data access. Regularly updating software helps protect against vulnerabilities, device hardening makes a device more secure against attacks, and frequent backups ensure data recovery in case of loss or corruption, but they do not encrypt data to prevent unauthorized access.