Which encryption method can mitigate a security breach if backup tapes fall out of a shipping vehicle during transport?

Hard drive encryption is particularly effective in mitigating the risk of a security breach if backup tapes are lost during transport. This method encrypts all data stored on a hard drive or storage device, making it unintelligible without the appropriate decryption key. Therefore, even if the physical media, like backup tapes, are compromised, an unauthorized user would be unable to access the actual data without this key.

Hard drive encryption protects against situations where physical devices may be lost or stolen. In contrast, other encryption methods may not provide this level of security for offline data. For instance, transmission and transport layer encryption primarily secure data in transit over networks, focusing on protecting data while it’s being transmitted, rather than data stored on backup media. File level encryption secures individual files but may not provide comprehensive protection for all data on a device, especially if the files can still be accessed or manipulated without the corresponding decryption methods for the entire drive.

Ensuring that all data on backup tapes is encrypted through hard drive encryption safeguards it against unauthorized access, significantly reducing the risk of a breach from the loss of physical media during transport.