What is an essential component of data loss prevention strategies?

Implementing encryption and access controls is an essential component of data loss prevention strategies because it directly addresses the need to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access and potential breaches. Encryption secures data by making it unreadable to anyone who does not possess the correct decryption key, thereby protecting it even if it is intercepted or accessed by someone without permission.

Access controls are critical in ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive information, thereby reducing the risk of accidental or malicious data exposure. By combining these two measures, organizations can significantly enhance their data security posture, making it much more difficult for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities or for employees to inadvertently leak sensitive information.

In contrast, the other strategies mentioned do not contribute effectively to preventing data loss. For example, lowering the number of employees handling data might reduce risk, but it doesn't establish strong protective measures for the data itself. Encouraging unrestricted data sharing exposes data to greater risk of exposure, while using public Wi-Fi for data access can create vulnerabilities to interception and unauthorized access.