Which statement best describes when to use device-level encryption versus file-level encryption?

Which statement best describes when to use device-level encryption versus file-level encryption?

• A. Device-level encryption protects the entire disk; file-level encryption protects specific files or folders; choose based on data sensitivity and portability.
• B. File-level encryption protects the entire disk; device-level protects specific files.
• C. Both encrypt the entire system by default; you only choose one for compliance.
• D. Device-level encryption is slower.

Answer: (A)

Device-level encryption protects everything on the drive, so all data is encrypted and unlocked when you authenticate. This broad protection is ideal for devices that could be lost or stolen, because you don’t have to decide which files to encrypt—the entire disk is secured. This approach is the go-to when you want strong, automatic protection of all data on a portable device. File-level encryption, on the other hand, targets only specific files or folders and uses separate keys for those items. It gives you fine-grained control, letting you protect sensitive data while leaving other files unencrypted, which can be helpful for sharing non-sensitive data or when you need to manage access at the file level. So, use device-level encryption for comprehensive protection of all data on a device (especially on laptops and mobile devices). Use file-level encryption when you only need to protect particular data or when you must control access to individual files. The other statements either reverse the scope or misstate how the protections apply, so they don’t fit the real distinction between the two approaches.

Device-level encryption protects everything on the drive, so all data is encrypted and unlocked when you authenticate. This broad protection is ideal for devices that could be lost or stolen, because you don’t have to decide which files to encrypt—the entire disk is secured. This approach is the go-to when you want strong, automatic protection of all data on a portable device.

File-level encryption, on the other hand, targets only specific files or folders and uses separate keys for those items. It gives you fine-grained control, letting you protect sensitive data while leaving other files unencrypted, which can be helpful for sharing non-sensitive data or when you need to manage access at the file level.

So, use device-level encryption for comprehensive protection of all data on a device (especially on laptops and mobile devices). Use file-level encryption when you only need to protect particular data or when you must control access to individual files. The other statements either reverse the scope or misstate how the protections apply, so they don’t fit the real distinction between the two approaches.