Which of the following methods can be used to protect data?

The most comprehensive method for protecting data is through a combination of encryption, backups, and firewalls.

Encryption is a critical security measure that transforms data into a coded format, making it unreadable to unauthorized users. This ensures that even if data is intercepted or accessed without permission, it cannot be understood without the right decryption key.

Backups are essential for data protection because they create copies of important data that can be restored in case of data loss due to hardware failure, cyberattacks, or other disasters. Having reliable backups ensures that an organization can recover from incidents that compromise data integrity or availability.

Firewalls serve as a barrier between trusted and untrusted networks, controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. This helps prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information and protects systems from external threats.

While physical access control, data entry validation, and secure network connections are important elements of a broader data security strategy, they do not encompass the full range of techniques necessary to robustly protect data against various threats. Options that focus solely on one aspect of security may leave other areas vulnerable, making a multi-faceted approach—like that presented in the correct answer—the most effective means of safeguarding data.