Western Governors University (WGU) ITEC2112 D315 Network and Security - Foundations Pre-assessment Practice Exam

Data loss prevention (DLP) is a strategy designed specifically to prevent the loss or unauthorized access of sensitive data during its transmission and storage. DLP systems monitor and control data transfers, ensuring that sensitive information does not leave the organization without proper authorization. This makes it an effective technique against accidental data loss, as it actively prevents unauthorized sharing of critical information, either by blocking such communications or alerting administrators when potential breaches occur.

In contrast, while encryption can protect data during transmission by transforming it into a secure format that unauthorized parties cannot read, it does not prevent the loss of data itself. Firewalls primarily serve to control inbound and outbound traffic based on predetermined security rules, but they do not specifically target preventing accidental data loss. Network segmentation helps improve security by isolating different parts of a network but does not directly address the issue of data loss during transmission. Therefore, DLP is particularly focused on safeguarding sensitive information against unintended exposure or loss, making it the correct choice for this question.